Since 21st February students from 4 campuses of TISS(Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, Guwahati) have boycotted the classes and all academic work. TISS is India's oldest institute of Social sciences studies. It has produced many personalities who have shaped society in a posting manner. TISS has also helped Indian Government in the planning of many so many public policies for the betterment of society through rigorous research and for same it has garnered much appreciation from everyone. Notably TISS always have representation from every caste, class and strata of the society. It has helped many students to climb the social ladder by ensuring education to every eligible person irrespective of caste, religion and economic class.
In the history of more than 80 years of this diverse, free and liberal institution, this is the first time when students took such stand against the administration. TISS administration have asked students from SC, ST and OBC category to deposit the full course and other miscellaneous fees stating fund cuts from various sources. They have been told that no one from SC, ST and OBC category will get the waiver in fees. One can understand if some institute raise the fees or cut off the waiver during the beginning of academic year, but how can they justify doing it in the midway of session ?
Like the common perception "TISS people are habitual of Rebellion and protest" many turned a blind eye to it. The way I see it, this is an attack on whole education system, where strategically a system is trying to deprive oppress people from getting better education, so that they can never become the part of mainstream democracy. A nation like India, dominated by the youth population can suffer to great extent by such policies. Many studies and research has shown that "Education is the one and only social ladder which can sustain". Good education overall uplifts the standard of life of a person and people surrounding him/her. Since the Rags to Riches phenomenon is not working anymore, more wealth and power is getting accumulated in the hands of few chosen people, thus it is a need of an hour to make sure each and every student gets enough education to curb the rising inequality.
If continues this way the rate of dropouts and illiterates would increase, people would settle for lesser things, this will again give rise to inequality. If inequality is on higher side then the crime rate would be high, IMR would be high, opportunity for everyone would be low, society will lack overall peace and happiness and this vicious cycle will go on and on to give birth to many social problems.
Take the example of Scandinavian countries where education is free for everyone, even for migrants in few cases and how they fared in each of the sector. Their happiness index always ranks in top 10 countries, lower unemployment, very few social problems, maximum social security, medical cover to everyone. India as a nation can learn a thing or two from these countries.
If this can happen with institution like TISS and JNU, then other institution and colleges have no ground to stand and fight for. This could open floodgates for all institution and Universities in India to follow same ritual of depriving people(backward class) from education. Overall this wont serve any purpose. We would be heading towards a hollow development which wont be inclusive.
To bring and equality in society we need to have reservation based not only on caste but also on socio-economic class. May be people who is getting benefits of reservation from 2-3 generation and have climbed up in society can give up reservation at least in education for better good of society. This will not only help lot of oppressed people but it will also help to curb the hatred for reservation.
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