Respected Chair of today’s seminar titled “Student Politics: Then and Now”, esteemed guest speakers, and distinguished attendees—my heartfelt greetings and regards to you all. This discussion stands as a testament to our civic awareness. I feel honoured to have been invited as the keynote speaker on such a timely and significant topic. I extend my sincere thanks to the organisers for this opportunity.
Distinguished guests, for various reasons, student politics in our country today finds itself under scrutiny. In recent times, we have witnessed an alarming increase in undesirable acts—such as violence, bombings, clashes, extortion, robbery, coercion, and hooliganism—in the name of student politics within educational institutions. These self-serving and barbaric activities not only cast doubt on the glorious past and noble traditions of student politics but have also sparked calls from various quarters for it to be abolished altogether. Thus, it is only appropriate and urgent that today’s seminar delves into a comparison between the past and present state of student politics.
As you are aware, student politics began adding a new dimension to Bengal’s political landscape in the early 19th century. During the first quarter of the 20th century, student politics took on an institutional form through the revolutionary movements, the Swadeshi Movement, and the Non-Cooperation Movement. If we look back a little further, we will see that the period between 1968 and 1971 was one of the most significant and glorious chapters in the history of student politics. The students of our country played a courageous role in the historic Language Movement, Education Movement, Six-Point and Eleven-Point Movements, and ultimately the bloody Liberation War. The entire Bengali nation still remembers and honours their contribution with the deepest respect—and always will.
In the early years following independence, the student community continued to play a well-marked role as an independent political force. In particular, their courageous role in resisting the autocratic regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad and in bringing about his downfall in 1990 remains noteworthy. However, even then, the lofty image of student politics could not be preserved.
Dear guests, it was during the 1990s that student politics began to deteriorate rapidly due to various factors. Foremost among these was the loss of individuality in student politics. Student organisations increasingly became extensions of their patron political parties.
Furthermore, in a bid to retain control over students, major political parties and factions began installing non-students in leadership roles of student organisations. These non-student leaders used the student body as pawns in internal party disputes. As a result, student politics became increasingly corrupt and degenerate. You are all aware that the trend of using weapons in student politics began in the 1980s and 1990s, and has only worsened with time. Unfortunately, this continues to this day.
It is now common to see news reports of political killings and other crimes committed by armed members of various student groups. This has severely tarnished the image of student politics. The unethical practices of present-day student politics have cast a shadow over its glorious past.
Friends, Aristotle once said that man is by nature a political being. In a democratic society, political awareness is essential for every citizen. In today’s world, politics has become a driving force. It influences not only economic and social life but also education, culture, and science.
It is not just students in developing countries who are participating in politics. Students in countries like England, the United States, France, and Germany are actively involved in political movements. However, there are some differences between their student politics and ours. In countries such as the UK and the US, student political involvement has primarily revolved around anti-war and humanitarian causes. In France, Italy, and Japan, student movements are often driven by revolutionary social ideologies.
Sadly, in our country, student politics has strayed from the path of constructive, idealistic, nation-building activities. It is now dominated by unethical behaviour, indiscipline, corruption, crime, and the influence of vulgar and perverse cultural practices. Today’s students lack the proper moral and ideological guidance necessary to grow into responsible and patriotic future citizens. The absence of such guidance has led to the present dismal state of student politics.
Such a misguided, principle-deficient form of student politics is unacceptable.
It is my sincere hope that today’s students will reclaim their noble heritage through constructive political engagement, and once again play a glorious role in building the nation. With this hope, I take my leave.
Finally, I thank those who worked tirelessly to organise this event and gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts. I also express my gratitude to all of you who have listened so patiently. Thank you once again.