In an apparent departure from recommendation of the TSR Subramanian panel, the HRD Ministry in the draft education policy said the government "recognises and will encourage the positive role played by students' unions" in furthering the interests of democracy.
In its report submitted to the HRD Ministry, the TSR Subramanian panel had sought a "non-emotional examination of the issue of permitting chapters of national political parties, or caste or community based organisations within campuses of universities".
The draft National Education Policy, put up by the HRD Ministry on its website, said, "Government recognises and will encourage the positive role played by students' unions in furthering the interests of democracy and strengthening the democratic systems, governance and processes as well as debates, discussions and pluralism of thoughts."
The draft, however, carries the Subramanian committee's recomendation regarding examining the desirability of allowing students to continue on campuses for long period beyond normal schedules for courses.
The draft says it been observed that most of the "disruptive activities and disharmony" on campuses are led by outsiders and students who remain enrolled for many more years than what is mandated.
"A study will be conducted to prevent outsiders and those who have ceased to be students from playing an active role in students' politics and disrupting the academic activities as well as to prevent them from staying in hostels and misuse facilities of the institute," it says.
The Subramanian committee's recommendation on considering the role of political party-related outfits on campuses led to a political slugfest.
Criticising the suggestion, Congress leader Shobha Oza said it is "unfortunate" that an attempt is being made to take away the right of democracy from the students.
"Many of the leaders in the country are ex-student leaders who have fought for student rights in their youth years," Oza said. She suggested that the government may have the rows in institutions like FTII and JNU in mind.
CPI leader D Raja also criticised the recommendation saying that "we have given voting rights at the age of 18 and many of the students are voters."
BJP leader Nalin Kohli, however, emphasised that the report of the committee has been submitted to the government which will be examined before the policy is finalised.
"So let us see how the government takes a view on it.
Till the time it is only a report submitted to the government," Kohli said.
When contacted, T S R Subramanian, a former Cabinet Secretary, said the panel had suggested a debate on allowing chapters of political parties in which not just the vocal side but also the "silent" are heard.
The Subramanian panel had said "the argument is often heard that the universities are the crucibles where political leadership is created in India. There may not be universal acceptance to this thesis, nor even its validity."
The panel had also blamed political interference as a major reason for low standards of education.
