Murlidhar Manohar Joshi, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former central government minister, sharply criticized the use of force and batons to settle student demonstrations on Thursday. He emphasized that this method cannot find a solution to any problems.
Joshi made these statements during the 21st FICCI Summit on Higher Education, which was held at India Mandapam in New Delhi. This two-day forum is dedicated to the theme 'Higher Education for a New World Order: Reform, Sustainability, and Relevance.'
In conversation with journalists outside the summit program, Joshi insisted that the legitimate and justified demands of students should always be met with empathy. He stated directly: 'The method of using batons is inappropriate. You can never solve a problem this way. If there is any problem, listen to them. They are our children.'
Murlidhar Manohar Joshi, who has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, noted that the Indian education system strives to create a world where a balance is achieved between all aspects of human development. He emphasized the simultaneous promotion of physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of the individual.
Annat Swarup, Secretary General of FICCI, added that artificial intelligence is rapidly changing perceptions of the skills and knowledge a student should possess after graduation. He noted that the pace of change caused by AI is so high that no curriculum can adapt at such a speed.