By OshoI am not a politician, and i believe that there is politics involved in what both sides say: those in power and those outside it. Those who tell students to participate in politics have their own political motives. And those who tell them to stay away from politics are also making a political statement. Both positions are political.But this is how i see it: a student is preparing for life. He should not plunge into life just yet; he should prepare himself for it. He should understand politics thoroughly. There is no need for him to participate in politics at this stage. He needs to understand it so that when the time comes for him to enter politics, he cannot be exploited by politicians.I would like to tell students that their greatest responsibility is to raise the intellectual and creative potential of their country to ever greater heights. The country provides them with food, clothing, and other necessities for as many as twenty-five years so that their talents can develop.But if they spend their academic years shouting slogans for political leaders, carrying their flags, and cheering them on, they are doing great harm both to their country and to themselves. I am absolutely opposed to students participating in politics. I oppose it because, once a student becomes involved in politics, he ceases to be a student in the true sense of the word.Yes, students should study politics and understand it thoroughly. Then, when they turn twenty-five, leave the university, and enter the world of practical life, no second-rate politician should be able to deceive or exploit them.Politicians who are not in power will continue urging students to join politics. But why are they so eager to attract students? The reason is simple: students are a source of power. Whoever gets students on his side gains enormous strength, whether his cause is right or wrong. That is why young people have always been exploited. If Indian students were to study politics seriously, they would be astonished by what goes on in the name of politics in this country…Who will develop this political awareness in India? It is the coming generation. If young people learn to understand politics properly, genuine political awareness will emerge. It is unfortunate that a political party can win an election simply because of its election symbol. Symbols can be remarkably influential. Someone can go into a village and tell the people, “If there are no bullocks, how will you plough your fields?” The poor farmer thinks, “That is true! If there are no bullocks, how will i cultivate my land?” And so he votes for the pair of bullocks.When political awareness is so limited, it is essential for India’s young people to become well-informed and politically mature. The sooner you plunge into politics, the less mature you are likely to be. Wait! Study, learn, observe, understand, and look at life from every angle. Study world history, examine the way the world functions today, and think about what needs to be done …The time to act will come; prepare yourselves for it.Translated from Bharat ke Jalte Prashna; Courtesy Osho International Foundation
Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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