UGC wants science students 'deradicalized', experts term move idiotic

The University Grants Commisison’s directive to teach humanities and social sciences to students of science and technology to ‘deradicalise’ them has come under severe criticism from professors and students. Interestingly, those who have condemned the move include members of the National Integration Council (NIC), on whose ‘recommendation’ University Grants Commisison (UGC) claims to have sent the circular to all its affiliated institutes. Teachers in institutes of higher education said that imparting humanities courses to students of other streams is a noble idea in itself, but it cannot be seen as a tool to contain radicalization. Nandita Narayan, professor of mathematics and former member of the executive council, Delhi University, declared the argument as ‘bogus’. “Studying humanities and social sciences helps in a better understanding of society and varied cultures. But there is no guarantee that someone studying social science or political science will not get involved in unlawful activities,” Narayan said. [caption id=“attachment_645492” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Is a science student more prone to becoming a radical? Reuters[/caption] She said in the garb of deradicalization, the government wants to depoliticize the campus. “It is quite evident from the way authorities have been crushing protests by students.” Abdul Shaban, chairperson, school of development studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, echoed this. “This is an attempt by the state to curb alternate thinking and manufacture compliant citizenry- people who abide by the mainstream ideology," he said. Manisha Sethi, professor at Centre for the Study of Comparative Religions and Civilizations, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi, said the UGC circular feeds into the mainstream discourse about a certain kind of ‘radicalised’ youth. “The idea that the university educated, tech savvy young men are being recruited into radical (read Islamist) movements enjoys popular currency today. But it is a poor reflection on an institution governing higher education, that it simply and uncritically reiterates and replicates commonsensical assumptions,” said Sethi. While the involvement of science and technology graduates in anti- social activities cannot be ruled out, the reason is lack of opportunities and not certain kind of education, said Abdul Shabaan. “The solution lies in implementing the directive principles of state policy enshrined in the constitution and not in asking science students to study humanities,” he said. “Pointing at science and technology students will further stigmatize them,” said Shabaan. According to a report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the last meeting of the NIC dated September 10, 2011, focused on communal harmony – measures to curb communalism and radicalization of youth.  The follow-up action on the recommendations made by the members was circulated to ministries/ departments concerned for necessary action. In the NIC meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had stressed on the need to identify and address the causes of radicalization of some of the country’s youth. “Very clearly, lack of productive employment opportunities for our young men and women is one factor, which aids such radicalization. Education and skill development opportunities have a major role to play in addressing this problem. We have made efforts at providing more opportunities with greater inclusion in higher education,” said the prime minister in his speech at the NIC meet. “The problem of terrorism and Left wing extremism constitute two major challenges that our society and polity face today,” added the PM. As a follow up action on the recommendations made by the NIC, the MHA sent a note to the MHRD, which wrote to the UGC, said the agenda paper of the UGC’s meeting dated December 17, 2012, accessed by Firstpost. “The MHRD has stated that items no. 13, 14 and 15 on the suggestions made in the meeting of the NIC are related to UGC,” read the UGC agenda paper. Item 15 was about effective programmes to be launched in all educational institutions at regular intervals to stop radicalization of youth. Based on the decision taken in the Commission’s December meeting, it sent the directive to various colleges. When asked about the Commission’s directive dated 16 January, 2013, UGC member Professor Seyed E Hasnain said, “The Commission did not act on its own. The circular was based on the letter we received from the MHRD. However, the NIC, where the idea apparently germinated, has distanced itself from the UGC proposal. “Countering radicalism is no doubt desirable, but I am not sure how UGC directive will help,” said Wajahat Habibullah, NIC member and chairman of National Commission for Minorities. NIC member and secretary general, All India Christian Council, Dr John Dayal, found the idea ‘idiotic’. “Education does not add to law and order problem. And what about thousands of youth turning Maoists? Are they also science and technology graduates?” wondered Dr Dayal. Navaid Hamid, member, NIC, said the proposal was an attempt to divert from the real issue, “I would have been happy had the government taken steps to deradicalise and train security forces to act impartially to safeguard the spirit of the constitution,” he said. Given the lack of enthusiasm and confusion in all quarters, it is unlikely that the UGC directive will result in any concrete action. This game of Chinese Whispers instead offers an unintended look at how various government agencies can issue over-enthusiastic and muddled directives in their eagerness to act on stray comments made by the PM.