Voicing their opinions!

The CAB bill has led to widespread protests across India. Thousands of students from various universities all over the country have participated in public rallies in the nation. The scene could have been similar in Bengaluru too. In fact, Christ University had laid down strict guidelines forbidding its students from actively conducting any such agitation related activities.   

On Thursday 144 was imposed  as a result of which local students could only express their opinion confidentially to this newspaper.  Many students from the University, who had tweeted their views have now deleted the same online. A few of them were willing to express their views under conditions of anonymity.

A doctorate student who opines Universities are sacred places where the flow of ideas is never restricted says, “It should be kept in mind that violation of the fundamental right of speech and expression cannot be curtailed. Restricting students from voicing their opinions, has been done on the demands of the government. So, legally speaking, universities are voicing the opinion of the government, that’s why they are restricting such activities, which is a violation of Article 19 1(a) of the constitution. So their act is legally not sound. Universities should encourage students to ensure that they become better and informed citizens of the country and not remain a dormant spectator.”

She also adds, “Right to peaceful protest is our basic human right that should not be compromised in a democracy. It forms the essence of a civilised democratic society.”

An MBA student shares, “Universities that do not want protests to tarnish in their name are not getting associated with protests and rallies. All they do is stay neutral by inviting local politicians regardless of their ideology. Student protests are the  basic rights of students and has always been prevalent. So university must act according to the rights. Although many students  came forward to protest, which they believed is the need of the hour — the police action against them reeks of fascism.”

Another student shares, “College is clearly not encouraging any sort of open protests or demonstrations in the campus. Students however are not restricted from taking up the issue in class discussions. The university has still not revealed its stance on the issue.”

A chemical technology student shares, “Protests fois to ensure that every student is aware what is happening. This enables us to create a public form and discuss the current scenario. While this is our basic right which we follow without creating any ruckus, it enables to use our educational qualifications in a proactive manner.”