Hyderabad, July 31 -- The true measure of any vibrant and mature democracy lies not in the policies of its majority governments, but by the state of dissent and the "right to question" in the country. Whenever repressive policies, discriminatory laws or administrative arbitrariness prevail, universities and student organisations are the first to raise the banner of resistance. Students are not merely people who study for a degree. They are the vigilant soul of democracy, holding up a mirror to the state's authoritarianism.

Unfortunately, the scenario in India over the past few years shows that the state has stopped recognising its own educated youth as citizens. Students who ask questions are branded as "anti-social elements," "troublema...