KL Report
SRINAGAR
Expressing concern over the politicization of Kashmir University, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has stressed upon the varsity authorities that instead of turning the highest seat of learning into a political battlefield of Pro India politics, the institution should concentrate on providing quality education to the youth.
Despite unfavorable situation persisting in Kashmir over the past 25 years, Mirwaiz said Kashmiri parents worked hard to give education to their children. He said education guarantees a better future for any nation. He said that KU had a distinction of being the centre of learning since hundreds of students have graduated and occupied important position in different facets of life. He, however, said from past few years, unfortunately KU was more becoming centre of politics rather than a seat of highest learning.
APHC Chairman said university was a place which inculcated innovative thinking among its students so that they contribute in a positive way. But KU, Mirwaiz said was contrary to such things. He said students should have taken study on educational, political and social issues of the society, but such research is not encourged in KU.
Mirwaiz said research and seminars should have been carried out on Kashmir which was an international dispute. He said students should have studied historical, traditional,political and economical facets of this issue in the KU. However, he said the truth was that such an exercise is being carried out by American, British and even by few Indian universities who apart from conducting research hold seminars and symposiums on this issue, but unfortunately KU is discouraging such activity and not allowing any debate on the Kashmir issue.
The Hurriyat (M) Chairman said many academic and non-academic delegations from KU have visited him in the past and apprised him about the sorry state of Affairs there. He said the delegation told him that KU was being fast turned into hub of pro-Indian politics. He said that KU authorities have banned formation of students union in an attempt to choke the voice of educated Kashmiris, adding, instead of organizing seminars or holding research topic sessions for students, the KU was calling meeting of panches and sarpanches in the varsity thereby maligning the atmosphere.
The Hurriyat (M) Chairman said students were forced to sing Indian national anthem despite KU has its own anthem. He said situation in Jammu University was contrary to KU. He said authorities there allow students to perform various activities. He said all political parties were allowed to do their activities in Jammu campus.Even faulty members of Jammu university are associated openly with political parties But in Kashmir the situation is absolutely the reverse, he said only a special segment of people were allowed to carry out their activities in KU which was injustice to whole Kashmiri nation.
Mirwaiz said Hurriyat Conference has specific information that instead of improving education, KU authorities were promoting a specific agenda of a particular Party. He said the KU which was meant for producing scholars and intellectuals is now promoting Hooliganism and miscreants who are beating up people and maligning this prestigeious institution.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz said due to their unflinching association with pro-freedom struggle, the residents of old city were kept devoid of basic amenities like water, power and roads. He said the people in old city were targeted following a plan so that people give up their pro-freedom sentiments. He however said the people of old city have proved time and again that no force can disassociate them from freedom struggle.
