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Some undergraduates at their convocation

by Manjula Fernando

The Sri Jayawardenapura University re-opened recently, peacefully, we heard. But the question is for how long ? How long before the country gets rattled by another 'bloody' university clash ? Sri Jayawardenapura University second year Management undergraduate Samantha was not the first to sacrifice his life to a barbaric tradition which had proved impossible to eradicate from universities. He was brutally killed by a group of students because he opposed the ragging of freshers.

Ragging had once been a custom which served the intent of seniors 'to get to know the freshers'. It involved no malice and left happy memories.

It was sometime in the 1970's that a turn for the worse took place in university affairs. Perhaps with the change of political and social climates, a new generation of students with different values and political ideologies entered the university.

From then on, political activities and ragging took a violent turn.

The characteristic features in the new culture were indiscipline, intolerance, intimidation and violence. Last week we heard that a Jaffna University fresher was admitted to hospital in a critical condition after being sexually harassed by a group of seniors in the name of ragging. Even a trivial incident could leave mental scars that would haunt a lifetime.

Despite continuous attempts by successive governments from endless discussions and meetings with student groups, giving into their irrational demands on many instances to the drafting of an Anti-Ragging Act with severe punishment for offenders by the previous government, the problem has continued or rather thrive. Where have we gone wrong ? Why is that every solution, however impressive has failed to achieve the desired result ?

Some argue that the invasion of party politics is responsible for turning universities into political hotbeds while others say failure on the part of administration has more to do with the present crisis. It is however true that the authorities failed to take bold decisions and appropriate action at the right time for fear of reprisal from political authorities and powerful student unions with outside backing. The Anti-Ragging Act is also another impotent law confined to the book.

But what of the actual problem ? Could it not be the dirty intentions of political parties including the so-called 'lily-white parties' who secretly use university students as a cat's paw to propel their hidden political agenda.

In the open, all get together and say violence must be eliminated from campuses. But is that what they really mean deep inside ? We saw how Samantha's funeral was shamelessly exploited for a political cause. Nevertheless, mere elimination of politics from universities will not be a sensible solution to the issue.

Campus life and politics go hand in hand. It had been a cradle for many a former leader the country was gifted with. What is really required is the elimination of violent political culture, not just from the university but from the country as a whole.

Our elections cause death and devastation. Intimidation, arson and rigging have become an essential part of Sri Lankan elections. Should not they put the House in order before calling for students' discipline ?

Following the killing of Samantha it is heartening to note that a collective effort is being made for the first time to address this issue. The particular ministry and all universities have got together to discuss viable solutions and some of the proposals such as student counselling training for all lecturers and evicting of outsiders from hostels are in fact encouraging.

Strict enforcement of existing laws is essential to ensure that university students do not develop a mind-set that they are immune to civil law. Otherwise, they will pass out with that attitude and become resistant or self-ruled outcasts who find it impossible to fit in. There should be no impression that the law is impotent at the door to the university.

At the same time the law should be enforced equally on everyone. The police must not be used as a cat's paw by the ruling party to harass or victimise students with different political views.

We heard that a permanent police post is going to be erected close to the Sri Jayawardenapura University to ensure quick reinforcement in a volatile situation. But lessons should be drawn from bitter experiences we had with such experiments in the past.

In 1984, a police post was set up inside the Peradeniya University. In a clash with policemen attached to this post a student was killed and protests sparked off by this incident left another student dead a few days later.

Any measures to eliminate violence from universities should receive the blessings of all political parties as any attempt to sabotage the effort will have devastating results for the future of the country and her children.

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