Pressure Group Politics and Student Political Associations

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Pressure Group Politics constitutes a prominent aspect in the study of political literature. Most of the scholarly works on pressure groups have been on trade-unions, socio-religious or communal groups, occupational or business groups. But very little attempt has been made to probe into the significant role played by student political associations as another important segment of pressure groups. As student politics and student leadership are the stepping stone to state/national politics and leadership, the student fronts of political parties-the student political associations-are considered to be conspicuous pressure groups in the body politic. These associations constitute a dynamic force on the campus and also play a greater role in off campus politics. They continue to be a subtle but significant propelling agent for the politicization of the campus even in the midst of the recent Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and, at the same time, they play a very prominent role in the overall modernization and social transformation in developing areas. In the context of democratic process, shared powers and responsibilities, when the most desired and sort for reforms do not go through or get support of students and student political associations, unless they have been given a voice and a vote; the role of student political associations as a pressure group can hardly be ruled out. Student political activism and unrest, especially the growing phenomenon of student radicalism, has led to the reappraisal of interest in student politics in many countries. Students demonstrate, boycott the classes, manhandle the authorities, hold meetings on and off campus, shout slogans in the street, damage public property, disrupt both academic and private life to register their dissent and demand. The issues that push them towards agitation are many and varied, ranging from the proximate campus problems to the issues relating to broader plane of the socio-economic spectrum. More pertinent perhaps than the sporadic manifestations of the agitational behaviour of the students, is the domain of student politics per se that acutely mirrors in all respects the political overtones of the 'professional-world." Political intrigues, manoeuvres. the characteristic features of the power struggle at the micro-political centre seem to have its reflection on our university campuses. Students now bear direct links with the political parties and most of the major student organizations on the campuses are actually student wings of the national/regional parties This has generated some sort of politics of factionalism within the campus in which faction tries to outstrip the other in power race in order to maximize its political gains. The on-going struggle for domination and control of the nerve-centres of power among the rival student groups has transformed the campuses into miniature political centres to a point where collective educational interests have succumbed to petty factional politics based on extra educational premises." Students, in general, and student political associations, in particular, have acted as powerful pressure groups in almost all countries. They have been well entrenched in the political process and political behavior Student activism and student movements have attracted immediate attention of educational and political authorities. Students' support for political parties, student political associations and leaders in electoral contests has proved crucial in some countries. Student participation in cultural movements has also been important. "Student movements and organizations, as carriers of modern, often radical political ideologies have been important spreading ideological trends in various countries, particularly in the developing areas. In fact, student youth and student political associations have a magnificent share in the resurgence of nationalism and patriotism and breaking the shackles of colonialism and imperialism in the continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They have dramatized the problems of society and the university and played their part as a dynamic force in educational and political change. They have played a vanguard role in exposing the dysfunctions and deficiencies within the educational system and the society at large. With limited literacy and political awareness among the general population, students and student political associations constitute a disproportionately large section of bearers of public opinion in such societies. Thus, as an important segment of pressure group, the nature and character of the various student political associations have direct but significant consequences for the emerging political culture and political process of their countries. The character and process of decision making vis-a-vis policy formulation, and policy implementation and the overall social change and social transformation of a country is considerably shaped by the nature and working of the students and student political associations. As such, the study of student political associations as an important component of pressure group politics assumes capital significance.

The Book entitled "Pressure Group Politics and Student Political Associations" makes an in-depth study on various students Political Associations in Odisha with special reference to the district of Mayurbhanj, which is one of the most backward in the state with a predominant tribal population. The focus of the study is on the students political activists (Leaders) of the major students fronts of political parties and other cultural groups of the society. This book provides a broad conceptual framework on pressure group politics and students Political Associations. It also focused on the role of youth organization in the politicization of students is of Paramount importance. It also makes an in-depth study on the process of political socialization as an important bearing on the attitudes and orientations of student leaders to politics, in general, and student pressure Politics in particular this book also focused on Political recruitment as an important aspect of politics in any context and the overall perception and orientation of students leaders to social, economic, political and academic issues and problems as a important bearing of their political culture and political behaviour which reflects in the overall political game played in pressure group politics. As a whole the book has focused attestation on the problems of under development in a backward region of the country and the role of students leaders (as pressure group agent) in articulating the aspirations of the people and in projecting the regional needs and demands for the overall modernization of a tribal district. It also analyzed the nature of student pressure politics and leadership in tribal setting would contribute to the understanding of some aspect of pressure group politics in Orissa and India at large. It is sincerely hoped that the book can add some knowledge to an important area of enquiry in the social science and this will be immensely beneficial for the readers and the researchers of the coming generation.

About

Dr. Rajendra Kumar Das graduated from M.P.C. College, Baripada in 1984 and completed his post graduation in Political Science from Utkal University Vanivar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in 1986. In the year 2016 he was awarded his Ph.D. Degree in Political Science from North Orissa University (Presently renamed as Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjdeo University), Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. He started his Teaching career in a Degree College under Utkal University in 1987 and continuing as a Senior Reader in Political Science till date. He loves teaching Political Science and act as the advisor of different student associations and student bodies of Odisha. Throughout his career he has been involved in developing, coaching and leading students and youth organisations of the states to raise different issues in different field to bring a perfect solution. His observation and insights in the field of student socialisation, student orientation and students participation inspired him to write the book. He is currently serving as reader in Political Science at B.B.College, Baiganbadia, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. His articles has been published in various journals of state and national repute.