College Campuses Must Be Spared From Zealotry

The propagation of ‘hateriotism’ accoutered as patriotism not only goes against the very principles enshrined in our Constitution but also alters the role of Universities in shaping students’ personalities

- Ridhima Malhotra

When I look back at my years spent in college, I feel lucky to have studied at Delhi University’s North Campus. Consisting of around a dozen undergraduate colleges apart from various faculties of higher education, the North Campus provides one of the few platforms in the country for an amalgamation of a large number of young students from different states and socio-economic cultures. It was in college that I made friends with people from different states, religions, upbringings and cultures. I began to learn about the world at large, started exploring different political thoughts and discourses, and learned the importance of critiquing. My college years didn’t just provide me with a BA (Honours) degree but with a real education.

I fondly remember the discussions and debates I indulged in with my friends and fellow students on various issues. Though I neither subscribed to left-wing nor right-wing ideologies, my engagements with students and teachers leaning on either side of the political spectrum often enhanced my perspectives. During the extensive debates with my religious peers following different faiths, none of them — be it staunch Catholics, Sikhs, Muslims or Hindus — showed any disrespect to my criticism of various religious practices, just as I respected their right to choose to be believers. No matter how fiery the discussions over politics, religion or culture got, there were never any acrimonious exchanges. Even if we stuck to our stands, the least we did was heard the other person out and tried to understand her point of view.