Filmindia (1941)

Somebody is talking through his hat! From a recent issue of a local weekly newsmagazine I have clipped this cutting: "Slowly but surely, public opinion of the right type is hardening against the behaviour of our students." Typical of the times isn't it? Nasty blow to the solar plexus distinctly in line with "democratic" principles! Just imagine this columnist having the temerity to say: "Is this the class from which India of tomor^ row is to draw upon for leaders and workers? If it is, then farewell to dignity, fairplay and public life." Now this is something really very offensive and highly injurious to the student world of India, who time after time and occasion ofter occasion have given us ample proof of their determination to be just and free citizens of the world. INSULTING REMARKS In defence of Indian youth and for the sake of that same "Fairplay" of which he is so much a stickler, I feel, I cannot allow this statement to go unchallenged. It may be true that his remarks are to a certain extent justified in regard to the incident he is criticising, but to make a sweeping statement and involve the whole student body for something which a handful of rowdies did to Writer P. K. Atre — at Poona, is not only illogical but clearly indicates a mind not fully conversant with the spirit of modern Indian youth. His remarks are worthy of some very trenchant criticism, specially so when he has seen it fit to censure and condemn a body of youth, who have always been in the front ranks in India's fight for liberty and selfrespect. Moreover, I feel that of all persons a newspaperman should be the last to take up his pen to damn the Indian youth when almost every day we read reports of students being assaulted and molested by people out to damp the spirit of our youth. HISTORIC PROTEST IN BOMBAY Only recently in Bombay, the students gave us a heartening demonstration of the new spirit of nationalism and unity that is being born in India. The great protest which they launched against the invitation extended to Sir Maurice Gwyer to deliver the Convocation Address is something that cannot be forgotten in a hurry. In fact, I would go so far as to say that they gave us, elders, some very indigestible food for thought. In which the words that gave us a stomach ache were: "Dignity", "Fairplay" and "Public life." The way they took tne blows delivered by the police and the resoluteness with which they refused to be brow beaten must have made the heart of every self respecting man and woman tingle with admiration. They showed us with their stolidity and their patience for suffering (and mind you there were girls, too,) how true and strong the India of tomorrow will be. Each cane delivered .... each cane received. Every blow felt and every blow given, sounded and resounded throughout India and the echo must have given Whitehall a shock, as, in that echo could be heard the determination of the Indian youth to stand and die for truth and right. LATHI CHARGES And this has definitely not been the only instance when Indian students have been brutally assaulted by the police and persecuted by University authorities. I could give you here instance after instance when students have been beaten, attacked and imprisoned when they have stood up for their rights. But of what use will it be when the whole world knows this fact. The sorry tale has happened countless times in India. Whenever Indian students have protested or revolted against something detrimental to the self respect and the honour of their country, the police have always been called in to restore "order". And in the restoring of "order" lathis, canes and rifle butts have always been used for the settling of arguments. Tell me of any University in India where students have not been lathi 43