A section of academics and civil society activists condemned politicisation of university campuses here on Saturday, and demanded political leaders to stay out of campuses across the country. The ideas were raised in a meet organised by Forum for Protection of Universities (FPU) in Osmania University.
Speaking at the meet, B. Satyanarayana of Osmania University Teachers Association (OUTA), who is also the convener of FPU, asked political leaders not to visit campuses, including University of Hyderabad (UoH), during student protests.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University Tirupathi Rao said disputes within the university should be solved using internal mechanism and not by political interference, even as B. Bucha Reddy, former chairman of Andhra Pradesh University Teachers Association, opined students politics should limit itself to creative aspects of intellectual development and not rise to levels of political activism.
The meet witnessed a footfall of close to 70 teachers and activists who were mostly from Osmania University and other Telangana universities, including Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) and Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAO).
“Political leaders should help solve issues on campuses, including faculty shortage and lack of facilities. Instead of that they are using students for their own ends,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.
sMr. Tirupathi Rao, who spoke at the meet, said, “Students should concentrate more on scaling academic heights and faculty members should create the right environment for that.”
The organisers are expected to submit a petition before the State government asking it to assist in “creating the right academic atmosphere on campuses” this month. The academicians also asked students not to fall prey to political ploys and to aim at better employment opportunities.
