Students symbolize the expectations of the country at its best. They are the future leaders, directors, proprietors and administrators. On the other hand, politics is an arena where the knowledge and experiences are exercised by the leaders and visionaries in order to maintain peace as well as to acquire the welfare of the citizens. Politics directs central administrations and keeps the bridles of the country in its hands. There has been a great hullabaloo over the issue of students taking part in politics. Many of us advocate keeping the students aloof from the political life. It is true to some extent. Schools and colleges are the centers of learning. Whatever they learn here, is put to apply in latter life. The acquired knowledge helps them to handle the responsibilities of life. The relationship between students and politics has become deep rooted in modern world. However, both seem to be quite different. In opinion of some people, students should concentrate only on the studies and they should avoid participating in politics. They think politics can do more harm than to do good to the students. But, one should not ignore the fact that a good politician for a healthy politics finds its roots in educational institutions. History, itself, is its witness. The glorious role of students in the struggle for independence cannot be forgotten. Students fought against the British imperialism in India while they were still in schools and colleges. The sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh and Bismal will be remembered forever. If students do not participate in politics, there will be the crisis of leadership.
The word politics has today become one and the same with deceitfulness. It has worsened into a tainted line of work. It has been foully commercialized. No doubt, everything is fair in politics. Changing the party, politicizing the national problems and calamities, supporting one party today and pulling them down tomorrow etc have become usual manias in political life today. The consequence is that honest and noble people make an effort to keep away from politics. But, it would be equally wrong to overlook this problem of cataclysm of the politics. Many honest, righteous, altruistic, principled and persons who really are dedicated to the service of the motherland are required these days to purify the political polluted environment. This can only be achieved through the participation of students in politics. There are many other advantages of it. If the students participate in politics, they will be more acquainting with its working and nature. It will also give them an opportunity to be popular. This will encourage them for agitations against injustice. The local politicians will also be more alert for the welfare of society as students may raise such issues which may affect their influence.
Each democratic country derives its power, future and source of inspiration from its citizens. Generally, the government has granted the right to vote to all those who have completed 18 years and above. It will help many students to exercise their vote in electing the representative of the people. Clearly, this system of democratic administration allows students to take part in politics. If students learn basic politics during their student life, they will groom well for national as well as global politics. It provides the opportunity to represent and lead the masses. This also paves the way of their betterment. This enables them to raise the genuine demands and utilize their political rights. If students take part in politics with positive views and peaceful manner, it is really fruitful. Such politicians will prove an asset for the country of tomorrow. It will not be an amplification to say that no one can be an ideal citizen without having political consciousness and understanding.
The people of India have suffered centuries of enslavement, exploitation, political tyranny, backwardness and ignorance. Students face an uncertain future these days because of the problem of unemployment, poverty and the deficiency of opportunities. The achievement of independence heralded for them the beginning of a new future full of radiant hopes and happiness and prosperity. Why should students not involve in the politics, then? Every student is not able to pursue a professional degree. Moreover, the education being imparted to them is defective and costly. It is a strange fact that even today, the average students come of a family of meager resources. All this stimulates them to join the politics. They know the potential of the politics as they have experienced the influences of the political domains. This has also revealed the better truth that students with complete indifference and ignorance to political consciousness will not help themselves in their adult life and their culture. Such one sided development of young men and women is not a good sign for the health of the nation and its people. But, students should not forget their main aim and mission. Studies and learning must occupy the most important act of their missions. Indulging in strikes, violence and disruptive activities for fun or in order to avoid study pressure should be completely given up. They should develop their political consciousness rather than making themselves tools of other politicians
We know that the masses in democracy are to be led by some party. Parties are led by individuals. In this way, individuals guide the nation. As far as India is concerned, she has a large number of young individuals. Perhaps, each individual has experienced the bitter truth that the Government and law enforcing authorities seem vulnerable in modern day Politics. Today MPs and MLAs are either have close associations with criminals or are men with criminal records. Criminals have gained access to socio-political survival and the expectations on democracy appear to be panic. Gangsters move about freely in order to eliminate their political opponents and creating terror. Unfortunately, nobody has the motivation to put down such immoral actions with and iron hand. If one has a sharp look to the working of democratic governments and the present situation as well as the future perspective of India, education and students are the need of the hours. Education is invariably needed in exercising one’s choice in elections and life. It makes us capable to determine, what is good or bad. It also helps in studying the problems of the states.
Democracy desires command and an enthusiasm to stick to a set of laws of self-control. We need the rule of law and a suitable agency to enforce it. For the perfect democratic administrations, wisdom and culture on the part of citizens, the participation of students is needed. The young and the students are always the persons who have proper understanding of behaviors of the countrymen. In India all weakness such as poverty, social backwardness, crime etc are rampant. Actually, Indian democracy has been abused since its very inception. Hence, these can be treated with a good touch by the students. If students are active in this direction, the features of the true democracy can be observed here. Such a democratic organization is bound to flourish and will assume a proportion which will be perfect and desirable. We, all, are witnessing growing lawlessness in our social life which inspires students to participate in politics so that they can uproot it. There is a need for a new beginning to make India corruption-free. Everyone should adopt zero tolerance towards corruption. Only patriotic feelings coupled with efforts in reduction of poverty, illiteracy, regional imbalances and inequality among people can successfully face and fight the menace of corruption. All these qualities are acquired by students during their student life. We cannot ignore the close association between students and politics.
