Note to teachers: Stand out of students’ sunlight

Teachers, it appears, are urged to keep their distance from students' influence. The term "shakti" was not the one heard when the schoolgirl sang, but "bhakti", a concept that originated from devotion, worship, and homage. However, it has evolved to become a critique, a resistance to the caste system, and a playful spirit that can be seen in the students and teachers alike in the film Guddi.

The parallels between prayer and classroom discussion are evident, yet the analogy can lead to dismissive views on blind adoration of political parties. Two types of bhakti are discussed here, each with their own implications. While one is protective of the object of adoration, the other desires to be the recipient of such bhakti.

The former worships the powerful, while the latter aspires to become like Foucault. The teacher, seemingly a part of this personality cult, risks becoming a "star professor," inadvertently promoting a power equation that is harmful to both teacher and student. Renowned thinkers like Diogenes, Nietzsche, and Serres urge teachers to stand out of students' sunlight, emphasizing the importance of detachment, self-awareness, and the absence of power dynamics in the classroom.