Rajini’s advice to students flunks political test

Leaders and observers recall students’ contribution to political movements; say a vibrant democracy needs their active participation

In a State where a student movement was at the forefront of a regime change in 1967, actor Rajinikanth’s request to Tamil Nadu students on Monday to keep away from politics during their academic life has raised many an eyebrow.

Urging the students to focus only on their studies during their college life, the actor said they should restrict themselves to voting. He said this advice would stand even if he launched a party.

A section of political leaders and commentators familiar with recent history disagrees with Mr. Rajinikanth’s views.

In fact, they claim that the current lot of students are too apolitical.

“The problem in India is that students are not adequately involving themselves in politics,” said Sashi Kumar, chairman of the Asian College of Journalism.

Reiterating that political engagement should be part of education in a democracy, he said politics would be much poorer without the involvement of students.

‘Politics everywhere’

Mr. Sashi Kumar pointed out that mature democracies had always witnessed academics entering politics and returning to their institutions to continue teaching after their tenure in politics. “[Former US President] Barack Obama is a perfect example of an academic becoming the president,” he said.

Historically, students have had boycotted educational institutions to be part of the freedom movement. The anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu also brought many student leaders to the forefront of mainstream politics.

“Can you tell me one area where there is no politics? When you teach the ancient history of Tamils, you tell the students the politics of Chera, Chola and Pandiya kings. When you compare economic development of a regime with another in a class room, you also analyse the politics of the regimes,” argued Duraimurugan, the principal secretary of the DMK, who was a student leader during the anti-Hindi agitation.

‘Intellectual leadership’

“Mr. Rajinikanth’s views are totally unacceptable. Students offer an intellectual leadership to any political movement. Mahatma Gandhi exhorted students to boycott classes on the ground that independence was the priority of the nation. Politics today suffers from many ailments because of the non-entry of students into politics,” said Mr. Balakrishnan.

Mr. Duraimurugan said the “advice” to the students might soon extend to other sections of the society.