It is a sight to see that students are taking to the streets for the restoration of student unions across the country under the Student Action Committee. The ‘student solidarity march’ being held today in 50 cities simultaneously reinvigorates the power of students to uphold democratic norms. Student unions have long been abhorred by certain circles since the draconian Zia regime suppressed student activism 34 years ago. Later, the Benazir Bhutto government in 1988 lifted ban but the relief proved to be brief as in 1993 a Supreme Court ruling again banned union activities in educational institutions. With the ruling, students have been left without a platform for primary electoral practices, debate, diplomacy and leadership. The consequences were horrible: all major universities have been encroached upon by radicalisation while occasional incidents of violence are the other byproduct of the ban. In the absence of unions, there has been a rise of intolerant right wing parties on campuses besides groups based on sect, cast, ethnicity and geography that have also left little room for progressive and forward-looking ideologies.
Contrary to prevailing distorted belief that student unions breed violence on campuses, the fact is that the basic soul of unionism is to promote dialogue among students over critical issues. The absence of dialogue leads to violence. Even the intermittent violence does not justify a blanket ban on unions. All premier universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Yale have student unions with the basic aim of promoting political and critical thinking. The finest product of student unions is Benazir Bhutto who groomed her leadership skills while taking part in union activities during her university years. Several student leaders of Pakistani universities have been to parliament but, much to our disappointment, they made no serious effort to get the ban revoked. No legal or constitutional provision justifies the ban on students’ right to organise political activities. Despite this, universities continue expelling students for their involvement in such activities and some universities have even started seeking affidavits from candidates at the time of admission that they will not take part in any political activity. The undertaking is contrary to students’ rights and the real philosophy of university education.
It is time the government considers reviving student unions and, if necessary, enforce regulations for their smooth functioning. *