Higher education in India is comparatively cheap. It comes to no more than Rs 300 to 400/- per month if one is a day scholar in a university or Degree college. The tuition and laboratory fees could be somewhat higher if one is a science or medical student. The expenses may climb up if one is a hosteller or finds a place in a students' mess.

But few hostellers stay alone. He or she usually keeps a couple of dependents, who may not be registered students of the university but stay at the hostel and enjoy all its amenities free. These extras are primarily brother, sister or cousin of the registered hosteller. Nevertheless, the extra-load of such illegal hangers on could be damaging to the management of residential institutions. But few would like to step in and rectify it…

In the beginning, I used to be upset by such brutal violation of hostel rules in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where I taught for about 30 years or so. It was a mystery to me why no student or teacher representatives in hostel committees ever protested such misuse of university rules. Some teacher- members who did were either intimidated by students or by their own colleagues - the teacher politicians.

The reason why student bodies in general failed to take note of such blatant violation of rules by their own members may be that they did not take them as major issues, or that they considered hostel rules as typically 'middle class' - and therefore did not deserve obedience. Some radicals - their tribe alas is dwindling - thought such rules only interfered with their fundamental freedom!

What about the University authorities?

They talked big in close-room discussions, but I never understood why a university official - whether be a Vice Chancellor, a Registrar, or Rector never gave serious consideration to student grievances. Generally, these 'worthies' put on hostile appearances whenever students brought their - real or imaginary - arguments in support of a particular case or complaint. Worse, they generally adopted a veneer of callousness towards whatever problem students brought for them to settle. More often than not it was rough and rude attitude on their part that fuelled student resentment on the campus. The result was a strike, or mini-riot involving student and authorities, or even manhandling of a university official.

Sometime - but not always - such incidents as described above led to outright violence or even worse. Once, the JNU VC, the Registrar, and two Rectors were gheraoed in the VC's campus residence. Very soon the gherao turned into a virtual siege with none- neither teachers nor students- daring to intervene. This was a shameful act or lapse of conscience on the part of University community.

Yet, on various occasions, specially on election days to their unions, aspiring candidates and their noisy supporters waxed eloquent to publicize their lofty ideals - and the principles of the parties to which they formally belong. These dramatic acts normally preceded formal launching of election campaign. For some days, the campus was resonant with a cacophony of loudspeakers, impromptu dances and dramas. The campus wore a festive look, and young girls and boys went hand in hand singing, chatting - and laughing. Did they indicate anything serious? I would not know.

But I am sure of one thing. Over the years, campus life has deteriorated. Those who joined the universities in their twenties or thirties, grew old. Young passionate students, who talked of nothing but impending revolution left one by one, and both students and teachers lost the spring in their walk. Instead of exciting debates and talks, the campus settled down to holding study circles for competitive examinations. By the time I left the university, I discovered that it had become a busy workshop manufacturing 'White Collared Babus of India.'