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Nurturing Democratic Ethos: Hindu College's Inspiring Journey
In the ever-evolving tapestry of Indian democracy, there are moments when the spirit of change becomes palpable. This is the inspiring journey of Hindu College, where a vibrant history of student politics converges with a fervent commitment to empowering young minds with democratic ethos, ultimately forging a path towards a more inclusive and equitable India.
The Parliamentary Legacy
The roots of Hindu College's commitment to democratic values run deep. It proudly stands as the only institution in India to have a student parliament, the oldest parliamentary institution in the country. The college proclaimed itself a Republican institution in 1935, and its parliament became a center for intellectual debate during India's freedom struggle, especially during the Quit India Movement. In 1942, in response to Gandhiji's call, the college remained closed for several months, and some teachers and students even went to prison. Hindu College's amphitheater at Kashmere Gate provided a stage for scintillating speeches by famous leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, Annie Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya, Sarojini Naidu, Mohamed Ali Jinnah, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others on many occasions. For example during the freedom struggle in 1938, in an extraordinary session of the parliament, prem chand moved a resolution, "That in the opinion of this House, all the communal organization of the country should be dissolved forthwith to join hand with the congress in the interest of a united Nationalist Programme.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Timeless Words
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee once acknowledged the significance of Hindu College's parliamentary tradition, stating, "India has only two parliaments - Indian parliament and Hindu college parliament." His words resonated with renewed vigor as the college continued to be a platform for nurturing democratic values and engaged young minds in discussions on pressing national issues. Here, Atalji can be seen meeting with the then Prime Minister of the Hindu College Parliament at the college's centenary celebrations:
A Confluence of Visions: Fostering Democratic Values
This story is not merely about one college or two student leaders; it's about the confluence of visions. It's a tale of how student-led initiatives within Hindu College and a historic legislative move at the national level converged to ignite a spark of change.
A Glimpse of Leadership: Election Year 2023
The year 2023 heralded an atmosphere of transformation at Hindu College. Madhulika Singh, a resolute student pursuing a B.A. (H) in Hindi, emerged as the newly elected Prime Minister, while Naresh Choudhaary, a steadfast scholar in his third year of B.Sc. (H) Physics, took on the mantle of Leader of the Opposition. Their journey symbolized the college's commitment to nurturing leadership and democratic values.
A National Milestone: The Women's Reservation Bill
As Hindu College geared up for this epochal transformation, the nation itself was undergoing a seismic shift. On the 20th of September, a historic bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. This landmark legislation aimed to tackle the gender imbalance in Indian politics, reserving one-third of parliamentary seats for women. This moment highlighted the nation's commitment to gender equality, a value instilled in the young minds at Hindu College.
Swift Progress: Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha
Just one day later, on the 21st of September, the Women's Reservation Bill found approval in the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the swift progress in embracing change at the national level. The winds of transformation were sweeping across the country, and Hindu College stood at the crossroads of history as a nurturing ground for democratic engagement. In this picture, Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs, and Culture Minister of India and a Hindu College alumni, is seen standing next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 21st of September:
Hindu College's Role in Shaping Destiny
On the 22nd of September, Hindu College, with its rich history of parliamentary tradition, played a pivotal role in this narrative of change. Madhulika Singh ascended to the role of Prime Minister within the Republic of Hindu College, while Naresh Choudhaary assumed the position of Leader of the Opposition. Their election results were a testament to the college's commitment to fostering leadership and democratic values. Here is the celebration picture:
Reviving a Culture of Discussion
Amidst this rich history, there emerged a call to revitalize the culture of discussion—a desire to empower young minds with the ability to address national and collegiate issues. Hindu College, a bastion of democratic ethos, embarked on this mission.
A Journey Towards Democracy
As Hindu College nurtures a culture of discourse and encourages discussions on national and collegiate issues, it echoes the enduring spirit of democracy and the profound impact that young leaders can have in shaping the destiny of a nation.
A Legacy of Democratic Values
In this shared narrative of hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the power of democratic values, Hindu College stands as a beacon of positivity. It illuminates pathways towards a more inclusive, equitable, and just India, nurturing young minds with democratic ethos—a testament to the enduring power of student-led initiatives in shaping future leaders.
About the author: Krishna Trivedi, a former student of Hindu College from 2015 to 2018, played an instrumental role in championing the cause of gender equality. In 2017, he moved a petition for the Women's Reservation Bill in the Hindu College Cabinet, setting a visionary example. Currently working as a PGT Physics teacher at Suditi Global Academy, Auraiya, he continues to inspire young minds through his initiative, TogetherWe-Dream, inspired by the ideals of Dr. Kalam, helping students transform their passions into professions.
About the co-author - Mr Anil Rajgarh, Ex- Central Counselor Parliament- Hindu College (DU), Currently PhD Scholar, Delhi University.
[Reference: Hindu College, A People Movement is a book written by Dr Kavita Sharma. An accomplished academician, Dr Kavita Sharma has been an active contributor to the cause of higher education through her teaching, publications, and the institutions she has been associated with. Dr Kavita Sharma started teaching in 1971 in Delhi University's Hindu College. She is Former President, South Asian University , Former Director of India International Centre, New Delhi, and former Principal of Hindu College, Delhi University.