MUFTI JAMEEL FAROOQ

A dear friend came to my place some days ago and started discussing over,  the research that is being done in this part of the world, where most of the scholars at different universities in India especially in the field of social science and humanities do not work on the practical grounds rather postulate their own theories and speculations, which most of the times are an outcome of bogus and impractical findings based on abstract ideas---Where scales, hypothesis, variables and methodologies  unlike science research are not the result of labs and laboratories, but are the out-turn  of copy and paste or paraphrasing of already done research. 

While stretching it further, he opined that the research in the faculty of arts in general and above disciplines in particular, is a mere wastage of money and time. The money that is being spent on this field of research could have been utilized for other well-being purposes. According to him, most of the scholars or degree holders in the field of social science and humanities were unworthy, incapable, moreover, mere plagiarists.

Coming this from a man, who is himself a research scholar in one of the central universities of India in the field of social- science and sharing this kind of notion dwindled me to a large extent, not because of his myopic suppositions or empirical understanding, but because, a scholar who is about to complete his research must not have this frame of mind set. I, in the heart of hearts thought something must be wrong somewhere; as the research that is being done or have already been done in the above given fields have almost failed to bring transformation in the society ,which it aimed at--- Given the plight of government schools/ institutions, and it's Student- teacher ratio. And it won’t be wrong to say that his supposition was enough inciting and full of intrigue to delve deep into, what he perceived and shared.

I asked him, why he looked so downbeat, defeatist and gloom-ridden; when he is at the verge of his completion of research in the same field?  While answering this question, his sarcastic smile before his articulation surprised me substantially. He while shooting his answer said, “ Being in the university for more than four years, I figured that the research in above fields are the result of mere copy paste trend  and paraphrasing of research that has been done in the same fields." He seemed to be fed-up by the atmosphere the universities have these days. He said that most of the scholars and so-called professionals in the universities don't read even a newspaper or a book, they never update their knowledge---- In order to solidify his argument, he added that he was asked a question by one of the experts in his pre-submission presentation, the finding of which the expert didn't know himself.

I'm completely worn-out, because every day I encounter many research scholars including professors whose concern have reduced to their fat  salaries which they draw from the government treasury without an iota of  responsibility. One could easily sense and figure they don’t bother and have turned very cold about the academic excellence nor do their hearts beat for the students and scholars to whom they owe a huge responsibility. At times it seems they are blot on education system or in the name of higher education particularly. Moreover, down the line the situation is worse and we demand, why aren't we producing likes of Gandhi's, APJ's, Tagore’s and many more.  If I ask you, how many classes have they taken since Abrogation of Article 370 & 35 A?

The universities, particularly, in Jammu and Kashmir have become no less than any show-buzz industry, where the so-called academicians, instead of carrying bags with books or discussing ideas, are seen discussing with their colleagues the assets they have amassed or the luxurious trending cars they are planning to buy. The meaning of University which meant,  high-level of knowledge and learning, where high level degrees and academic research was being done have become fashion-hub, where students, research-scholars, academicians and non-teaching staff are showcasing their photogenic faces and appealing designs they wear.  The universities, these days have become a picnic spot, where marriage proposals, suitors and dates are being fixed. Moreover, a university in our valley is considered the best place for such happenings.

Recently, I was told by someone about a central university where Dean of that university had approved that research for awarding a doctorate degree in which the researcher herself didn't know which scale she had used and why she had used it. This is the plight of government Universities in India. Now if we come to private universities, on practical grounds no research is being done there  nor do they bother whether the person has used proper research methodologies or not. The main focus of private universities is to enroll much students to pile up pretty amount of money.  

A class fellow, who is a good student, was enrolled for M.Phil degree in one of the private universities in India, and on his submission, he had some plagiarism issues, as he simultaneously was employed somewhere despite being enrolled as regular student in that varsity, to sort that plag report, he didn’t revisit his thesis but, filled the pocket of the agent of the concerned University with handsome amount, who happened to be a Kashmiri. He further told me that in these private universities the agents have become no less than brokers, who work tirelessly for private universities in different capacities to earn their commission. These brokers are from different states and work respectively for these private universities. He added.

Since higher education in India, time and again changes its policies and criteria for fulfilling Assistant professor in colleges and universities and of late, it's new policy has allotted most of the credits to PhD than MA, M.Phil or NET without over viewing the fact that the research, be that---- M.Phil or PhD has become an outcome of good bucks than extensive study of fieldwork or exertion.

An Assistant professor of English once told me about an Assistant professor who shies-away in telling people, friends and colleagues that he holds a PhD degree from one of the private Universities in India; as in the heart of hearts he is well familiar with the fact that he has not done justice with his research, but was a great hand in placing him as Assistant professor.

Considering these facts, people at the helm of affairs ought to think meticulously while setting the norms and criteria for the selection process, otherwise, students in stockpiling points will forget the real excellence and efficiency; as is happening these days. May good sense prevail? 

(Author is RK columnist and can be reached at: mufti.jameel97@gmail.com)