What can be said about the Indian apex court taking note of coaching centres having become “death cell chambers” and that they are “playing with lives of aspirants who come from different parts of the country?” The Supreme Court said this earlier this week (August 5) while taking suo motu cognisance of three students’ death, who were studying inside the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi and could not escape the “library” when it got flooded by rainwater. It is possible, if this tragic incident had not taken place, many may not have become aware of the risks being faced by young students in their search for their goals. With each life, their entire families’ dreams and aspirations are linked, with their looking forward to a better and brighter future. Whatever may be the compensation paid to their immediate families, neither of the death can be brought back. Besides, think of the lakhs spend by their family members to enable them to join coaching classes. This also means that their families uses their savings, even takes loans and/or sells their property to ensure that their children get the best coaching possible to clear the civil services. What is laid at stake are earnings of the past and present to secure a promising future, a good career for their children.
In this context, one may say, the coaching centres have not become “death cell chambers” of just those who are admitted in these, but of the generation that is destined to be India’s future. Of course, it cannot be denied that Indian leaders have never ceased to promise more employment opportunities for the Indian youth. But rhetoric cannot ever be expected to solve problems as are faced by youth pressurized as well as agonized by limited prospects they have. This refers to the majority of educated youth who try their luck in competitive examinations to secure good jobs. The degree to which their struggle is linked by social as well as economic pressured faced by them as well as by their families cannot be ignored. The harsh reality of circumstances compelling a few to commit suicide poses the question as to where is India’s future headed for?
Ironically, the youth in India and in most parts of the world have apparently become more conscious than before about their grievances as well as the need to become more vocal about the same. The death of three students in the coaching centre was followed by protests of students carrying posters demanding action as well punishment of those responsible. In this case, the apex court has voiced its stand on the issue just when it is needed. Now the question is, the degree to which and by when is there the possibility of it having the needed impact? This includes the existence of basic security measures in coaching centres and other such places. Safety norms, as observed by the Supreme Court, include “proper ventilation, safety passage, air and light, fire safety norms and such other requirements prescribed under law.” At present, it is difficult to predict as to by one will these norms be really be totally complied with not by just coaching centres but by other places which lack the same.
Protest displayed by students questioning the death of three students may also be viewed as a bubble symbolizing the anger raging within them against the system and their being affected severely by its deficiencies. These represent the majority who cannot afford to go abroad for higher education. In all probability, their protest also reflects the anger against their being exploited by this system and their having no option but to subject themselves to the same. Give a thought. The students’ protest movement cannot last ever. Their money and future is at stake. They are staying in Delhi and have probably already paid fees to take coaching at such centres. They cannot afford to risk letting this go waste. Nor can they let run time against them by not getting back to their preparations for competitive examinations, even if it means attending classes at such coaching centres. Equally relevant is the question, if these centres are closed because of their not observing basic safety norms, will the fees of those who have already submitted the same be returned to them?
Certainly, the key issue that needs to be addressed is ensuring that safety norms are followed at coaching centres. They should not remain “death cell chambers.” In addition, if they are observed as such and closed down, some attention should also be paid that those who are enrolled there as students should not suffer loss of any kind, including monetary. Death of three students has certainly been an eye-opener to the degree certain coaching centres pay little heed to lives of students being placed at risk. At the same time, one cannot close eyes to the degree, future and money of probably lakhs is being placed at risk at numerous such centres.
Students’ protest in Bangladesh perhaps serves as an ironical illustration of the degree to which government’s refusal to respond to their request can lead to them to act vehemently forcing their Prime Minister to leave the country. In United States, at a lower scale, several universities have been witness to students’ protest against Israel regarding Gaza-conflict. It is possible, Indian parliamentary election results may not have spelt a setback for BJP if the younger generation did not favour the INDIA-bloc. In essence, new generation cannot be taken for granted. If the government fails to respond to them, they may not remain quiet for too long. In India, if effective measures are not taken to ensure that coaching centres don’t remain “death cell chambers,” all students are not likely to remain mute spectators to the same. Chances of opposition leaders raising a storm over the same issue cannot also be ignored. After all, it is the question of India’s future, it cannot be risked in “death cell chambers!”
Nilofar Suhrawardy is a senior journalist and writer with specialization in communication studies and nuclear diplomacy. She has come out with several books. These include:– Modi’s Victory, A Lesson for the Congress…? (2019); Arab Spring, Not Just a Mirage! (2019), Image and Substance, Modi’s First Year in Office (2015) and Ayodhya Without the Communal Stamp, In the Name of Indian Secularism (2006).
