First it was University of Hyderabad, then it was Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi and now it is National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, caught in the whirl of nationalism debate. If JNU was of defining nationalism of saffron party, Srinagar too was no different. In both the cases it looks as if BJP is testing the nationalism waters, which may have dangerous repercussions. Political parties should desist from such experimentations in educational institutions where the receptive minds are not politically mature to see through the machination behind such moves and resultant effect is an unknown student becomes a national symbol of student unrest and in another incident the already existing pro-India and anti-India feelings get much widened giving a fertile ground for divisive forces to play more prominently. Surprisingly Hyderbad and JNU universities, which have been centers of controversies recently topped the list of Central Universities released by the Centre itself. For these forces if anything in India is against their plan of things it does not suit them and if it suits them they find the best option. This divisive mentality of Kashmiri politicians except few of them has kept trivial issue alive with no positive outcome irrespective of political affiliations just to gain few headlines in the media. If elections in the State are successful it is thanks to the neighbouring country, when waving of flags is concerned the nighbour’s flag is acceptable and if one waves Tricolour it becomes an issue of clash of interest like what happened in NIT, Srinagar. The definition of nationalism has changed giving open space to rebellion and suppression of voices. What happened in NIT in Srinagar was nothing new it is the fall out of such actions and reactions. Most of the students from outside have complained of a stifle atmosphere and any spark like last week’s incident works as a catalyst for enlarging the situation. Today students feel insecure and feel becoming target of some faculty members. The simmering has been on for over last one week and the authorities have taken the situation as normal. Political parties should keep away from such situations and not try to fish in troubled waters.
