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Separate JNU Hostel for North-East Students?
I was disturbed to read a news item (Hindu, Delhi edition, 10 February 2015) that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was going to have a hostel specifically meant for students from North-East India. Nothing will hit the ethos of JNU harder. The university is known for its inclusive culture which is reflected through its vibrant hostel life. Jawaharlal Nehru, in whose name JNU was established in 1969, had always stood for intercommunal and interregional harmony for which, he thought, a university was the most important instrument.
I was disturbed to read a news item (Hindu, Delhi edition, 10 February 2015) that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was going to have a hostel specifically meant for students from North-East India. Nothing will hit the ethos of JNU harder. The university is known for its inclusive culture which is reflected through its vibrant hostel life. Jawaharlal Nehru, in whose name JNU was established in 1969, had always stood for intercommunal and interregional harmony for which, he thought, a university was the most important instrument. The university insignia quotes his words: “A University stands for humanism. For tolerance, for reason, for the adventure of ideas and for the search of truth. It stands for the onward march of the human race towards ever higher objectives.” Both as a JNU student in its early days, and as a teacher later, I think whatever I am today I owe it to this student culture called JNU. I beseech upon the university authorities to reconsider its decision even if it may be late in the day. One is never late for any course correction. Incidentally, in the past a similar decision was taken to dedicate one hostel to SC/ST students but student protests prevented the university to proceed further in this direction.
Partha S Ghosh
NEW DELHI
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