When a student protests for their future and asks for clarification, does he automatically become a “poor communist”? This is the question that arises spontaneously after the words spoken by the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, during the Atreju event, where she was challenged by a group of medical students concerned about the controversial reform of the degree course.
An unworthy spectacle in Atreju
“We can’t take it anymore, with the filter semester we risk losing a year”, shouted the young people, expressing legitimate concerns about the future of their university careers. The students underlined the seriousness of the issue, saying that there are those who suffer from panic attacks and those who even think about suicide, feeling in limbo.
The minister’s response was surprising:
“Here are our protesting friends, very good, let’s give a round of applause. Do you know what President Berlusconi said? You are always poor communists. Before protesting let me speak. This demonstrates your uselessness” he said in an aggressive and bold tone.
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Words that triggered immediate reactions among citizens and political leaders, which raise a fundamental question: is this the way in which a minister of the Republic should respond to citizens who express their discomfort and ask for concrete answers?
A shameful response that recalls the method used by Matteo Salvini a few months ago, when he made fun of a 21-year-old student (exposing him to the media pillory through a video on his social channels) who was protesting against the bridge over the Strait.
Admissions on testing problems
Paradoxically, in the same speech the minister admitted that in the Physics tests “there were two errors” and that one point will be awarded to all candidates. An admission which in fact confirms the critical issues raised by the students and which makes the choice to respond with insults rather than with a constructive dialogue even more incomprehensible.
Bernini then announced that “all 24 thousand places in the medical ranking will be filled” and defended the reform by claiming that previously the candidates “were guillotined outside the university gates”, while now “since September 1st we have 55 thousand students who are studying, training and accumulating training credits”.
If this is a minister of the Republic…
Beyond the controversies on a political level, a question of method remains. Students have raised real concerns about a reform that is generating confusion and uncertainty. They have the right to do so and they have the right to receive answers on the merits, not insults based on alleged political affiliations that have nothing to do with the issues raised.
Labeling those who protest as “poor communists” is a method that debases the role of institutions and prevents any constructive dialogue. The public university belongs to all students, regardless of their political ideas, and those who lead it have the duty to listen to all voices, especially those that express real discomfort. Our students do not deserve this treatment, even more so from a minister who should represent them and protect them. The university is neither right nor left: it belongs to everyone. Those who protest for their future have the right to be heard, not insulted and attacked from a stage.
This is the failure of our institutions. Democracy is confrontation, not humiliation.
