One of the biggest concerns today is the future of our students. They are the future of our nation, yet they continue to face challenges such as examination-related issues, academic pressure, mental health concerns, and the need for quality, value-based education. Many students and parents are also waiting for justice on issues such as NEET paper leaks. These matters affect the future of lakhs of students and deserve serious attention.
Instead of discussing these larger issues affecting students, public attention has shifted to the recent Directorate of Education circular in Goa regarding external organisations conducting programmes in schools. The timing of this circular, coming close to elections, has also raised questions among many citizens.
Instead of shifting the focus, the priority should be to engage in dialogue over the concerns raised through the hunger strike and work towards solving the real problems faced by students.
A strong democracy listens to peaceful voices and addresses genuine concerns. Students deserve justice, fairness, and a strong education system that puts their future first. When the future of our students is protected, the future of our nation is protected.
Farnaz Banu
Goa
Where Freedom is Actively Practised!
Through the recent student protests, India witnessed something that many of us had only read about in history books,a people’s movement driven by collective resolve and democratic spirit. What began as the voices of students gradually transformed into a nationwide movement that will undoubtedly find its place in history.
For many, it echoed memories of the protests witnessed at Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh. Yet this movement carried a distinct strength – an unwavering unity that rose above differences of religion, culture, age, language and tradition. It reminded us that when citizens stand together for a just cause, their collective voice becomes impossible to ignore.
The resignation of the Education Minister is a significant moment, but it should not be viewed as the end of the struggle. The true achievement of this movement lies not merely in securing a resignation, but in reaffirming that those in power are answerable to the people. Accountability is a fundamental principle of democracy not a favour.
Many articles will be written, many stories narrated and perhaps even films made about these protests. However, their real legacy will not be the headlines they created but the questions they inspired. A democracy flourishes when its citizens continue to question, seek accountability and speak up without fear. Only then can India truly become the democratic nation envisioned by its founders, where freedom is not merely celebrated, but actively practised.
Marhaba Khalid
New Delhi
Trust Erodes
Peaceful dissent is not unethical. Neither is demanding accountability unlawful. What is discouraging is when batons are seen used on those sitting with placards without valid reasons.
Protests are held when citizens feel their appeals have failed to reach the corridors of power. But when coercion is employed to suppress voices, the message gets clear: uncomfortable questions will meet an authoritarian crackdown.
Democracy thrives when accountability is deemed as a constitutional responsibility, not as a selective preference. The genius of leadership is not in evading and ignoring dissent, but in listening to complaints. When the executive insults itself from public grievances, trust erodes.
Kabir Ahmed Saikia
Jorhat, Assam
Parliament being Misused by BJP
The ruling saffron party at the centre has been blatantly violating most Constitutional norms and laws of parliamentary democracy with impunity. Only the apex court could have pulled on the leash at these attempts but it conveniently chose to shut its eyes. Thus SIR, NEET scam, student deaths, buying of MLAs and MPs, bringing in controversial laws like UCC and NRC have become all too easy for the BJP. There are allegations of brazen corruption too, but anyone who dares speak against Modi-Shah is deemed anti-national. Sad state of affairs!
Naseer
Bengaluru, Karnataka