Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Insulate colleges

This refers to the editorial "Murder most vile" (Sept. 1). The incident in an Ujjain college where students assaulted two professors, of whom one died later, has reinforced the urgent need to insulate educational institutions from political interference. Centres of learning should be prevented from becoming centres of political intrigues and trials of strength.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's assertion that the incident was not murder, even before a proper enquiry has begun into the death of Professor H.S. Sabharwal, was unwarranted. His Government should instead focus on eliminating politics from college campuses.

R. Ramachandra Ayyar,
Chennai

* * *

Professor Sabharwal's death is the ugly face of student politics. Worse is the BJP Government's effort to protect the ABVP activists. It is clear that politics in colleges is not only guided and patronised by political bigwigs but is also used for show of strength and gaining political mileage.

Students become pawns in the hands of unscrupulous political elements. It is time the student community realised the hidden agenda of politicians and restored the guru-shishya parampara.

Ashish Kumar Jha,
Varanasi, U.P.

* * *

The editorial has rightly highlighted the tragic circumstances and political background leading to the professor's death. The ills plaguing our academic institutions can be traced to political interference, which all parties are guilty of perpetuating.

Student unions should concentrate on campus welfare, cultural and group activities, and academics. Politics should be studied and understood by students, not practised.

V. Krishnan,
Chennai

* * *

It was indeed shocking to watch ABVP activists using harsh language against a professor in full media glare. What is worse is the way the State Government has gone about handling the issue.

Clarence Fernandes,
Mangalore

* * *

The incident is a blot on the student community. The Government's response, particularly Mr. Chauhan's statement that the incident was not murder, was atrocious.

M. Mrinalini,
Ramagundam, A.P.

* * *

If such incidents continue, the BJP will be marginalised among Hindus too.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,

Hyderabad

* * *

Though the death of Prof. Sabharwal is highly unfortunate, one should not jump to the conclusion that it was murder. Let there be an impartial inquiry into the exact cause of the professor's death. The courts will then do their job.

N. Arun,
Secunderabad

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