Discipline, that much undisciplined word

India operates on a rather astounding paradox. It takes its rituals and norms very, very seriously. But when these take on the form of regulations and rules – not to mention, laws – everything becomes fuzzy in a random way. But in this yin and yang, there’s the semi-divine word, ‘discipline‘. Everybody loves to love it, but no one gives it much bhao.

Consider the case of 36 nursing students at Chandigarh‘s Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) who have been grounded for not turning up to listen to/watch the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, an inspirational programme with a difference.

The action taken is, according to our mind, a bit harsh. Unlike playing hooky to cut classes, or miss an annual event, not much has been ‘lost’ since the show is available on the internet ever since its first airing. The students should also be cut slack – after all, it was a Sunday.

PGIMER’s principal, predictably, unleashed ‘discipline’ as an explanation for the strict step taken against the inspiration-agnostic students. As disciples of discipline ourselves, we must intervene to state here that disciplining students by keeping them in their hostels for a week for not listening to Sunday gurbani is about being more loyal than the programme, not about instilling value of rules. Let them out, or face disciplinary consequences!