Is Jai Hind College trying to stifle the voices of Mumbai youths?

College management put up notice earlier this week when ABVP began its membership drive

At a time when student activism is taking the whole country by storm, Jai Hind College in Churchgate is allegedly trying to stifle the voices of the youths. It put up a notice on Tuesday — taken down later following flak — warning students against associating themselves with any organisation.

Jai Hind College had warned students against joining any organisation. Pic/Suresh Karkera

The timing of the notice coincided with the launch of the ABVP’s membership drive outside the college.

The notice at the college gate, titled ‘BEWARE’, read: ‘Jai Hind College students are advised not to register themselves with any organisations or subscribe to groups/associations from outside’. It raised students’ hackles. They are now trashing the Mumbai University’s Best College award to the institution, presented on August 15.

Rohit Chandode, secretary of ABVP, Mumbai, said the notice was “an attempt to suppress students’ voices”. “The students’ movement is an integral part of the education system.” He said the ABVP could begin its drive only after a lengthy, heated discussion with the college management, following which the notice was taken down.

Rohit Chandode, secretary, ABVP

He claimed that around 200 students signed up for ABVP on Day 1.

Membership drives at colleges begin at the start of the academic year.

Student union says
Pradeep Sawant from Yuva Sena and senior senate member, MU, said, “We have been demanding that the education minister prepare an official procedure to conduct campaigns and propaganda on college campuses. This way, the practice will be fair.”

PrincipalSpeak
Principal Dr Ashok Wadia said the college only “requested the ABVP to conduct its activity a little away from college. “This time it was ABVP. Soon, there will be other unions opening stalls outside our gates. What if there are arguments between two groups?”

He said the notice was put up by the student council, which “feels there should be no political elements involved in academics”.

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