The CJP’s “School thik karo” campaign seems to have found resonance among schoolchildren, notably those from economically underprivileged backgrounds who study in government schools across the country. The same campaign has also touched a raw nerve among ruling parties and governments in some states. For what is known as the godi media, this may not be newsworthy, for it has lost its voice to its masters. On social media, however, this is one of the trending news stories. This is unsurprising because of the assaults and violence allegedly perpetrated against CJP members who are visiting and exposing the state of government schools in Rajasthan and a few other states ruled by the BJP. Reportedly, even schoolchildren are posting photographs of the abysmal conditions of their schools. If schoolchildren shed their fear, can their parents be far behind? Then there is the larger public, except for the incurably brainwashed and the blind.
One of the foundational pillars of nation-building, self-reliance and modernisation is the education system, which does not only mean the syllabus, which has now been ideologically tainted. Ironically, neglecting the multidimensional aspects of a sound and solid education system exposes the weaknesses of ideological content in the syllabus. This became evident during and after the CJP-led youth protest, which has now become a widespread movement, when young people openly made their stand clear that they are fed up with the ‘Hindu-Muslim’ ranting and raving by the powers-that-be. The very fact that people of all ages, cutting across religion, race, caste, class and economic status, stood in unity during the June Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi and elsewhere in the country also underscored the limitations of ideological impositions.
The limitations of ideology and ideological impositions are many—all of which are revealed by the overall quality of governance, based on the degrees and levels of transparency and accountability, the quality of laws, the credibility of democratic institutions, justice, fair play, a level playing field and so on. It may also be added that a free, fair and fearless Fourth Estate—or its absence—underlines the limitations of ideological impositions. The very fact that Gen Z and Generation Alpha are more concerned about the conditions of their dilapidated schools than the venom incessantly spewed by the godi media highlights the limitations and failures of ideological impositions. In fact, these two young generations are not even viewers or consumers of the godi media, nor are they great fans of television as a medium of communication.
Another limitation of ideological impositions is that they insult the intelligence, especially of children, who are so much more advanced in their cogitative abilities. For one, every generation is more advanced in many respects than previous generations due to several factors, not least the mind-blowing capacity and breathtaking speed of technology. Children and young people are not vision-impaired, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired; therefore, they know what is going on around them and across the globe, which, one way or another, influences their thinking, worldviews and opinions. As we know, two of the innate characteristics of children are curiosity and questioning. Try as we might, our answers—not least our actions—would be dissected, analysed and finally accepted or rejected. Consequently, we would be judged and respected or not. Right now, questions are being asked and answers are being seen both in words and in action. I am afraid the older generations are found wanting.
Two, India has always been a cauldron of races, religions and cultures, with a rich tradition of free thinking and free speech. Individuals cannot be forcibly shaped and moulded by ideological impositions that run contrary to their inner convictions, which are also formed and shaped by lived experiences. Besides, children grow up amidst numerous cultures in their neighbourhoods and schools. Academic and other activities are of greater importance than the religious and other backgrounds of their peers.
Yes, a lot of people do bend over backwards and kow-tow before the powers-that-be for numerous reasons—all self-serving, of course. We have been seeing that happening in India for over a decade. However, the rising young generations are made of a different mettle, hitherto totally unknown. We have seen how they have asserted themselves and stood their ground, owning all insults, name-calling, labelling and shaming—even assaults and violence against them—and weaponising lathi-charges, tear gas, water cannons, pellet guns—even AK-47s—and brickbats thrown at them into badges of honour. Our youngsters have a totally different concept of patriotism. Physical, mental, psychological and legal attacks and assaults are a result of the failure to understand their concept of patriotism.
Now they have put the powers-that-be on the back foot. Otherwise, why would governments invoke child-friendly and restrictive laws against the campaigners? But notice that no such laws were invoked against those who physically and mentally violated the very same laws, which also include failure to establish proper school infrastructure. In fact, over 90,000 schools were closed down over the last few years. Children still do not have proper roads and bridges to go to school. Children still have to suffer the consequences of ignorant and unqualified ‘cooks’ who cannot differentiate between salt and detergent powder. We can be pretty sure who hired these ‘cooks’ and how they were hired. That eggs were actually replaced in Bengal (now back on the midday meal menu) on ideological considerations and not nutritional necessities, in a country that aspires to be “Vishwaguru”, is pathetic. Along the same lines, the regular leaks of and errors in examination papers can be understood. Ideological impositions create too many glaring cracks, most of them irreparable.
So, the question is: would ideological impositions have the same impact on them as they did on the older generations that grew up under economically freeing liberalisation, keeping in mind that economic conditions are vastly different now? The present economic conditions hugely impact the younger generations, and they know it, they feel it and they want change. One of the ways they feel change can come about is through the education system—after all, they are the foremost stakeholders in the education system, and if it fails them, their future is irrevocably compromised. For them, if their future is compromised, it becomes an existential threat. So, the CJP’s “School thik karo” campaign makes perfect sense.
The other question is: what about our Northeastern youngsters? Indubitably, they know what is going on across the country, but one has not really heard their voices. Is it because they are silent, or because their voices are being suppressed and stifled? If it is the latter, it will not be surprising because, in this region, societal authoritarianism is layered and wears varied and various faces.
Monalisa Changkija is a Dimapur-based veteran journalist, poet, and former Proprietor, Publisher, and Editor of Nagaland Page.