Should students take part in politics or not is a question of quite a modern origin. Till the beginning of this century nobody would have thought of this question. That was a time when students simply obeyed their parents and masters. Parents never even discussed matter as important as the marriage of their son or daughter. Teachers were absolute monarchs of their classroom. Children remained in awe and fear of teachers. Politics was quite young and it was the privilege of the few in the higher rungs of society. The man in the street was never in the picture and his voice was never head at all.
The beginning of the century saw the spirit of nationalism rising up in many colonial countries against the ruler. The leaders of such movements called on the youth of the land to join them. They knew that it would be futile to address their energy to the middle age group. Their appeal for action went straight to the hearts of the youngsters. They were a bit rash and reckless for they had not much to lose but the promises for their gain were there. They left off their studies, deserted their classes only to join the front rank of politicians who were trying to make their voices felt. The youth had the energy and could make good noise. Mass movements required them. Thus there was a revolution in politics when the youths began to make their presence felt. Many a leader of the forties and fifties belong to this category.
So we see with the advancing of the century the part played by the youth in politics intensified. Politics in many countries became a mass movement and youth leaders were in great demand, because they could muster strength easily. Once the part played by the youth became significant, the youth began to assert. They wanted their share in the government of the country and their voices to be heard.
That is where we stand today. Forceful leaders who knew the power of youth in politics began to voice their concern and started telling that students may study politics, the manifesto of various parties but not to indulge in active politics. But that was never to be. Once the youth has been roused it is very difficult to control them and unfortunately many elections are fought with the help of the youth. So in principle, let us concede there is nothing wrong in the youth taking part in politics.
But if the ultimate goal of the politician is to enter the legislature of the land and take part in shaping her destinies then the youth must wait in the 'Q'. Their youthful enthusiasm and emotional outbursts are not quite the thing that the government of the country needs. It required maturity, wisdom and forbearance. Politics is not mountain climbing. Hard training may make one a good mountaineer. To be a politician one must be groomed from a young age, be intelligent, wise, mature in outlook and have vision and foresight. He must be dedicated towards a mission and the people. Despite all their enthusiasm, the youth is not qualified on this score. His very youth is a disqualification. They cannot be said to have emotional maturity. So like the young seed that waits to become ripe, the students must wait.
A word of caution to the professional politicians here may not be inappropriate. Let them beware of what dangerous powers they are playing with. The very mass strength of the youth might destroy the citadel of politics like Samson in chains. It may be cheaper now but surely it is going to be costlier in the long run. Let the youth of the land gather knowledge, pick up the intelligence and grow up in wisdom so that they may be fit to shoulder the responsibility. So one should look at this problem from a historical perspective. In all humility one may conclude that the student should never take part in active politics.
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