Dimapur, Oct 12 : North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) Tuesday expressed its strong opposition over All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Nagaland University Headquarters, Lumami on October 17 next, saying his intention to visit the university was “very questionable.”
Maintaining that NESO, since its inception, has been “non-political” in nature and did not follow any political parties, the organisation special coordinator N.S.N Lotha alleged Rahul’s intention was always to use National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), a Congress students’ wing, and groom the students with Congress ideologies so they, at the later stage, become Congress members. Lotha posed question as to why Rahul was interested to visit only Nagaland University and not other parts of Nagaland, saying that there were other platforms to interact with youths.
Claiming that “mainland students’ unions” were “politically paid” bodies, the NESO special coordinator said that was the basis why NESO did not want such unions to step in to north east region.
Asserting that it was against the politicisation of education institution and universities, the NESO said it also stood strongly opposed to formation of politically affiliated student bodies in school, colleges and universities.
“No political party or political personality should visit educational institution with political motivated interest,” stated the NESO.
Further, questioning the intention of Rahul’s proposed visit, the NESO recalled that All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) had shown black flag and blocked the entry of Rahul Gandhi to Dibrugarh University on September 23, 2010 because of his intention to motivate and encourage the students to join and strengthen NSUI. “This action of ASSU should be a clear message to all political personalities trying to vitiate the atmosphere of educational institutes with political agendas,” said NESO chairman Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya and N.S.N Lotha in a joint press communiqué.
Stating that NESO has high respect for the person of Rahul Gandhi as an upcoming young leader of India, the NESO leaders said however if he attempted to pollute the minds of the students with his political ideology the organisation would be compelled to safeguard the interest of the students.
With regard to this, the NESO urged Naga students’ federation (NSF) – its member organisation – to take appropriate action towards the proposed visit of Rahul and block his visit to NU headquarters, Lumami if his interest was to promote NSUI movement.
They contended that educational institutions and universities were not “grazing grounds” for politicians, rather it was a place for learning and that its sanctity should be respected by everyone.
Meanwhile, when contacted, NSUI president Nagaland unit, Hetilo said Rahul’s visit was nothing political as alleged and that the visit was purely to interact with students. He said visionary leaders like Rahul visiting Nagaland would indeed be a moral boost for many youth especially for the upliftment of students’.
When asked about the protest by the NESO he said in a democratic country anyone was free to move about and meet people. Sources also said Rahul’s visit to Nagaland has not been finalized as it all depends on his schedule. There were also speculations going about that Rahul would be visiting either Dimapur or Kohima and not Lumami as reported.
source: Nagaland Post
0 comments:
Post a Comment