Three consecutive letters in these columns (October 6, 13 and 20) emphasising the need for a student union at Banaras Hindu University have triggered a necessary debate.

It would be worth while considering the fatal aspects of a student union on the academic milieu of the campus, as evident from previous track record.

Student unions at JNU and other universities might be protecting the “democratic rights” of the students, but BHU has a very unsuccessful history of the student union, which existed here till 1997. Frequent breaching of university rules, demonstrations and protests, regular bunking of classes, misbehaving with and threatening professors, unauthorised and anti-social elements illegally occupying hostel rooms and unfair examinations were the norm when a student union existed on the campus.

It was the extremely vitiated academic environment that compelled the university administration to ban the student union.

Students from across the country come to BHU to seek education. Restoring the student union would degrade the academic ambience of the campus. At present a “student council” commensurate with a “student union” in terms of objective is working on the campus. It comprises student representatives from each faculty and is funded by the University for carrying out work related to students’ welfare.

Students are free to put their problems and queries to the authorities concerned through the “student council”, which are addressed by them in a healthy manner. The “student union” had the tendency to politicise and hype up trivial issues, thereby disturbing the academic environment on the campus.

There are certain flaws in the student council, but with slight modifications it would prove to be a better, healthier and more effective option. The success of the present set-up at BHU is evident from its academic excellence. Its management system is commendable and worth imbibing. It is my earnest request to those who advocate restoration of the student union to let peace, discipline and academic ambience prevail on the campus.

Sachin Kumar Singh,

Room No. 45, S. R. K. Hostel, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005.