The incident that saw Lingnan University's newly appointed President Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon humiliated by his own students should alert anyone who cares about the future of Hong Kong of the sad reality that politicization is distorting humanity and social values in the city.

Students who disliked Cheng's appointment on Monday tied on black ribbons, struck his car, and blocked his way as he left the university after holding a consultation session with students, who had turned that consultation session into a public trial of the prominent economist, a scene reminiscent of the dreadful "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

Under tremendous criticism and pressure, the scholar recalled views he had previously voiced on political issues, and pledged not to comment on political topics anymore after the new appointment. Obviously, what he said during the "consultation session" was intended to appease the students, whose fury had stemmed from speculation that Cheng would carry out a political mission in the school and therefore would harm its academic freedom.

It's a pity that a prominent scholar had to make a cringing kowtow to his students. And it's worrisome that students have humiliated their innocent, respectable guru without any justifiable reason other than pure speculation cooked up by the opposition camp through their mouthpieces such as Apple Daily.

Humanity, the quality of being kind, thoughtful, and sympathetic toward others, has been terribly distorted while the traditional virtues of honoring our teachers and respecting their teaching have all been lost in a society where politicization has taken root.

It's a widely known fact that the opposition camp has infiltrated and gained control of some student unions, turning them into backup forces and political tools. It's not surprising that the appointment of Cheng, who is not a member of the opposition camp, was unwelcome to them.

Members of the opposition camp may snicker at their success in orchestrating the siege on Cheng and their grip on student unions. But can they still laugh when they realize that many of our social values and virtues are being distorted or losing out to political bickering?

The author is a current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 06/19/2013 page9)