Indian Education System Annihilates Political Consciousness: Faheema Shirin

A judgment from Kerala High Court attracted national-level interest. A college management run hostel brings a restriction saying, students of under graduation should not use mobile phones from 6 pm to 10 pm and denies the use of laptops inside the hostel. They were asked to submit their mobile phones to the respective wardens in the evenings to ensure the above is followed. But a student among them resists abiding by the rule saying 'usage of mobile phone is my fundamental right'. In response, she was sent out of the hostel.

She approaches the court, files a writ petition against the management. Judgment arrives in two months saying such an action infringes the fundamental freedom as well as privacy and will adversely affect the future and career of students who want to acquire knowledge and compete with their peers, such instruction or restriction cannot be permitted to be enforced. She went back to the hostel with support from the law.

These incidents explain two things. Firstly, the bravery of a girl to reach the judiciary against the management; her political consciousness. Another one, our education system, which pushes her to this extreme. 19-year-old Faheema Shirin is a student of B.A. English Literature, discusses various things parallel to the incident.

Restriction of mobile phones in colleges seen as a common rule. Why did you carry this up to court?  

Every device became meaningful only with the way it is used. We can use mobile phones for many good things and learning. I felt this restriction is regressive. It is also inclusive of gender discrimination, it is restricted only in girl's hostel saying that, it will take students in the wrong direction. Hence I decided to oppose this strongly.

Whether your fellow hostel mates were supportive?

We cannot expect the same point of view when we grow from environments with different views on life. Some of them obeyed the orders as they were scared of their parents. Some of them didn't even look at it as an issue of individual rights. Few among them were scared to oppose the management even though they felt it’s an issue to be opposed. Even then, nearly all of them given moral support to my decision.

How did your teachers treat you?

Some of them felt my resistance is necessary. At the same time, I could understand that they can’t act against the management. Even though they did not give any direct support in the field they have assured me that they won't be giving any trouble.

How were your thoughts in those two months?

College situated 80km from my home, it’s five hours journey every day. I was affected both physiologically and psychologically. Visiting classes on time was a challenging thing in those two months. Sometimes I felt very alone. But I never worried about my decision. I was prepared to face the difficulties than obeying the management.

Suppose, if you have failed or if it has taken a long time for the judgment how would you have encountered?

I strongly believed that I will succeed. A court acts in this era could give this kind of judgment only. My worries were different: If the judgment took too long due to the slow process existing in the judiciary, it will delay my entry to the hostel. I wouldn’t have worried even if I have lost in this case. As of me, this attempt is very important.

Why and how did you take it to court? How was that experience?

Through my friend; he only suggested to take this issue to court. Then I started to search whether any such examples in the judiciary. Then I came to know about LCSR - The Legal Collective for Students Rights, a non-profit organization run by students and lawyers which aids students in judicial proceedings. I contacted them through their Facebook page ‘Your Lawyer Friend’, with their assistance the issue has taken to court. Our lawyer, Legith T Kottakkal brought success in this case by handling in a way that my presence won’t be a necessity during hearings.

Tell us about your family and your parent's stand.

My parents were aware of how this world is changing. They never imposed their dreams on us. We have a healthy environment to discuss the issues we come across. My family won’t be interfering with the decisions I make about own life. Book reading has helped to improve these thoughts further.

My parents were stood by me when relatives stood against my decision. When I told my father about the new restrictions brought to our hostel he said, “Shirin, never bow down to power at any point. The struggles you are going to face by resisting is better than the privileges you are going to enjoy by obeying”

As a student, what are your thoughts on our education system?

Indian education environment is a system of authoritarianism. It always uses its power to bring students as per their wish. This system is destroying political consciousness which is not a healthy sign. Parents also instrumental in changing the educational environment into a factory that produces mere gomashtas. But, students, upcoming generations must seek to change it.

 

-Mohamed Riyas

riyas.ma@hindutamil.co.in

 

References:

1.      Originally published in a Tamil daily – The Hindu Tamil Thisai: அரசியல் உணர்வையே நம் கல்விமுறை அழித்துவருகிறது: கேரள மாணவி ஃபாஹிமா ஷிரின் பேட்டி

 

2.      Case summary and Judgment: Shirin R.K. v. State of Kerala