POLITICS: A FORBIDDEN DISCUSSION IN SCHOOL CLASSROOMS
Politics in India can be rightly described as a treacherous pitch, where even the most seasoned batsmen can lose a wicket if they don’t play safe. So are political discussions in classrooms. It is a herculean task to solely focus on the point of debate and not make distasteful or deceitful comments which can potentially hurt religious or political sentiments. As a result, one can rarely see sensitive issues involving political or religious groups, being taken up for open debates or discussions in schools. The general image of student politics being associated with recalcitrance and rebellion, as witnessed in some institutions these days is largely responsible for this attitude.
While these reasons are absolutely justified, the question on the flip side is that, should the current generation grow up in oblivion of issues that assume national significance? The obvious question that arises here is whether one has to necessarily engage in tiresome discussions when mass media, which has grown beyond our imagination in the past decade, can provide all the information one needs. The fundamental issue here is that, with an array of contents presented, it is quite difficult to differentiate news and opinions from ‘opinionated news’. More important is the fact that children are aware of different perspectives and ideologies, and there is no better place it can start from than the school itself. Also, more than a majoritarian democracy, our country, regardless of the political party in power, has always tried to persuade those who hold an antipathy towards the government and its policies for the larger public good. Worthwhile discussions and debates can only ensure this. Training the current generation to engage in these kinds of dialogues can only avoid odious aberration of laws in the near future.
A wonderful blog by chimmi😇😇 Responsible discussion of political issues must become an integral part of every indian classroom. As students this will be our first step in exercising our rights as citizens of a democracy before we turn 18 and get the right to vote. If not, how could people expect inexperienced first time adult voters to vote in a way that would aid the development of the country and not the reverse.
ReplyDeleteAnother important matter I would like to bring up is that even if not in classrooms, politics SHOULD atleast be open to discussion in every household. Parents and elders must not shun away children from engaging in their political discourse by making up the excuse that 'Politics is for adults only'. That attitude will only result in a generation of gullible voters who dont understand the importance of elections , thus weakening our democracy.
Glad to know that you could relate to this article so much. Thank you for providing your wonderful and thoughtful inputs:))
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