I believe there should not be any more politics at the colleges in Nepal. Students should give priorities more to their studies rather than politics. By “college politics,” I mean students from remote as well as urban areas of the country who come to a city like Kathmandu. They carry their higher education dreams and soon after, they get involved with politics and become victims of the political leaders. When something goes wrong the political leaders use these students for their own welfare and damage the structure of the society by encouraging these students by protesting on the streets, throwing stones anywhere, disturbing the movements of the transportation, and the forceful closure of school, colleges. By “forceful closure,” I mean closing without willingness of the people or the halting of the state and its citizens, and when there is no transportation; people are not able to move from one place to another. In other words, students should get involved with politics after having completed their degree. I believe education can bring positive change to the nation because educated people have a greater vision of thinking. These people tend to think about issues in multidimensional views. They can understand the real problem and can balance the situation in peaceful manner. Also, there are several examples in world history, where many countries have developed after they gave priorities to education and to their citizens. The first step to eradicate chaos, violence, and deadly protests on the streets of Nepal is to discourage the political activities in colleges.
There should be a rule and unit to monitor the activities of the students in colleges. The next step or the process towards transforming these students is to implement the help of International organizations such as UNO, UNICEF, The UN, and the government of Nepal to take initiatives to involve students at community-based projects and bring the awareness campaigns to the student’s protests and violence.
Another step for this change is to elect the politicians, who are educated and who have good characters and support the innovative ideas of the youth.
One day, when I was on the way to my office, I saw hundreds of students protesting on the street, burning tires and throwing stones towards police and vice versa. First, I stepped back because it would not have been a good idea to show any brave act in a situation like that. Next, I saw a father, carrying his small daughter, who was in her school dress and was trying to cross the street. Next, the police threw tear gas, which went near the father but somehow they escaped. I was very frustrated, when I observed that scene. Then, I realized how badly the future of a child, a father, worker, citizens, student protesters, the economy, and the nation was damaged. There should be a better understanding in the brains, responsibilities on the shoulders, and honesty in the hearts and minds of every Nepali citizen. For these reasons, I believe there should not be any more politics in colleges in Nepal.
– Bibek Karki
