A merican university campuses erupted in protest last month over the conflict in Gaza. The pro-Palestine protests are still on and have since spread to Europe. These protests have raised fundamental questions about freedom of expression at universities. University administrators (often distinguished academics) have not been able to withstand pressure to silence the protesters. The voices of faculty, too, have been strangely muted.
In dealing with such protests, universities obviously need to strike a balance between allowing freedom of expression and maintaining order on campus. The American Civil Liberties Union has spelt out ground rules that nobody can quarrel with.
First, no viewpoint, however offensive, must be censored or disciplined. Secondly, no student or group should be targeted or intimidated in any way in the name of free speech.
Thirdly, universities can place restrictions on the time and place of protests so that the functioning of the university is not disrupted. Fourthly, the police must be called in only as a last resort. Lastly, campus leaders must not yield to political pressures.
It should not have been difficult for the university authorities to have allowed the protests subject to these rules. Sadly, the situation has got out of hand at many American universities, such as Columbia in New York. Police (including anti-terrorist squads in combat gear) have been called in to clear out encampments of students even where they were not disruptive of normal activities. The universities' response to the protests may be disappointing, but nobody should be overly surprised.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 16, 2024-Ausgabe von Business Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 16, 2024-Ausgabe von Business Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Al, Cloud, Super App: Adani Group To Bet Big On Tech
Planning to utilise sectoral data and train Al models
High Vegetable Prices Raise The 'Heat' In Election Season
Food inflation has emerged as one of the main talking points of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
India, Vietnam To Gain From 'China+1': Nomura
Bets big on RIL, BEL and Exide stocks
Millennials, Gen Z Driving Demand For Luxury Car Rentals
Mumbai and Delhi witness fastest growth in demand this year at 35% and 40%, respectively
Using private car as cab can lead to claim rejection
Insurance companies are trying to simplify the motor insurance claims process.
Retail investors make bold bets in derivatives markets
Delhi, 28 May Retail investors seem to be making bold bets in derivatives markets a few days ahead of the Lok Sabha poll outcome.
Q4 showing, valuations to keep Bosch under stress
Auto component major Bosch posted a subdued performance in the March quarter leading to the selloff.
India Vix hits two-year high
Indian equity benchmarks ended with losses for the third consecutive day amid elevated volatility ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on June 4.
A quantum leap: MFs dive into quant theme
3 fund houses lead the charge with offerings in this space
Metal firms yet to deliver on hope
Though buoyant on bourses, their earnings, sales have lagged overall listed universe in past 2 yrs