DU's trouble complicates

The latest spate in campus violence takes us back to those days when clashes between rival student groups were frequent and regular incidents. Though the general students had no stakes in those clashes, they were the ones who suffered the most in terms of their academic careers. We earnestly hope that this time around things would not be allowed to get out of control. In fact, it is of utmost importance that the ruling party rein in the JCD leaders who basically carry the burden of showing maturity and responsibility in their conduct. A comment by a JCD activist like, 'our senior leaders have instructed us to resist the BCL move' is definitely not going to help matters.

What has been more shocking is the complete silence from the ruling party leaders on the deplorable behaviour by their student leaders on the campus. If they don't take steps to chasten them, no amount of truce or persuasion could change the atmosphere. We simply want an end to the torrid campus scenario; students should be able to move around freely and be able to continue with their studies unhindered. Higher education and violence cannot go together. We have to ensure that violent rivalries and armed clashes between student groups under the umbrella of national political parties has to cease once and for all. The ruling party student wing has to lead the way by providing space to the opposition student party, and not by forcing them out of the campus physically, apart from the fact that all students, regardless of political beliefs, if any, have a right to prosecute their studies unhindered. From this point of view, the BCL also needs to show the desired level of responsibility by calling a halt to their strike.

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