No

Apprehension

In the current situation, when the rate of unemployment is so high, students are apprehensive of joining politics and ruin their career in the long run. Most students focus on their studies from an early stage and look for internships or apprenticeships during college days. Politics never crosses the mind of those who are going all out to land good jobs with handsome pay packages as soon as they are out of college. Their parents also prohibit any foray into politics because they invest heavily in their children’s career.

Sunaina Das,

Third year, B.K.C. College, Bonhooghly, West Bengal

Untrained soldiers

The word student implies one is devoted to studies. If students begin to take part in politics instead of studying, they will fail their parents’ dreams and aspirations. Also, a sword looks beautiful in the hands of the soldier who has completed his training. Students are not trained in politics. Politics is not a game. They can easily be exploited by politicians for their own ends. The unborn eyes are dependent on these students and, thus, the future generation will be at a stake if students join politics. Instead, they should devote their time to studies and work for the development of the nation.

Kripa Patodia,

Class X, Adamas International School, Calcutta

Development doomed

It is seen these days that students who join politics become factional, pick up slangs and are bereft of minimum courtesy. They are disrespectful to teachers and elders as well. The war between students and teachers has become a daily feature. Their impatience and impoliteness trigger an unhealthy environment for studies. Colleges, universities are no more educational institutions but just a place for strike, gherao, insurrections. The development of a student is doomed when he or she gets involved in politics.

Shreyasee Dutta,

Class XII, B.E. College Model School, Howrah, West Bengal

Immature actions

Impulsiveness is very common among students. So, impulsive ideas or action from their side might influence the state of affairs unfavourably. The maturity and experience required to strengthen our democracy is more likely to be absent among students. Also, lack of adequate knowledge and inconsistency in thoughts will lead to a downfall.

Sangramjit Sarkar,

Class XII, Julien Day School, Kalyani, West Bengal

Yes

Firebrands

India has a rich history of students turning into politicians. Many of today’s top politicians forayed into politics when they were in college. For instance, Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad, Sitaram Yechury, Nitish Kumar, the late Arun Jaitley, all joined politics when they were students. Gandhian leader Jai Prakash Narain led his movement in the late 1970s with firebrand student leaders. They certainly strengthened the base of Indian democracy. Even today we have leaders such as Aishe Ghosh, Kanhaiya Kumar and Dipsita Dhar, who will probably change the course of contemporary politics.

Suman Dhar,

First year, J.K. College, Purulia, West Bengal

Informed decisions

Our political system seriously lacks educated, young leaders. Students are much more aware and are willing to accommodate different opinions, which will foster democracy. More informed decisions will be made and better choices will be available to the public.

Harshit Tibrewal,

Class XII, Delhi Public School, Ruby Park, Calcutta