Politics and Students
The Lok Sabha had recommended some years ago that the age for voting be reduced to 18 years so that the students would have an opportunity to participate actively in politics and thereafter in activities involving the whole nation.
However, this issue has been discussed in the parliament for a long time now. Debates and seminars have been held at various institutions to arrive at some common opinion about this question. Since a person becomes an adult at the age of 18, he should also be allowed his right to vote at the same age. This was ultimately passed and now every person of 18 years of age is voter.
The present condition of India is such that such a programme might not prove very successful. It will greatly demoralize higher education as the students of every university and college will be split into different political parties.
Even now it proves, the students in the universities are badly exploited by politicians. They hold rallies and demonstrations under the influence of some political leader or the other. This leads to the breakdown in discipline and many universities have had to close down as a result of these strikes and disturbances.
Students cause the postponement or cancellation of examinations or they come to the classrooms and disrupt the lectures. This results in the lowering of educational standards which are already unsatisfactory in comparison with those of other countries.
The participation of students in politics does not mean the exercise of the right to vote. They often get so involved in the dirty game of politics that they forget their priorities towards their studies and often lose their sense of purpose. Their goals are then confused and they end up losing a lot more than they can gain.
