Student unions are nurseries where budding leaders get trained in the art of leadership and debate; engaging in intellectual discussion, thereby, strengthening the roots of democracy. Many politicians have emerged from student politics in Pakistan. Unfortunately, as the violence in our backyards became prevalent, it permeated in our collective social psyche. Resultantly, violence within the campuses became a norm between different student groups. Owing to these violent tactics, student unions have been banned since the 1980s. However, there is a need to lift a ban on student unions with a regulatory mechanism in such a way that promotes political and intellectual debate; enhancing the leadership skills of the union leaders.
Many reputable politicians have emerged from student unions, including Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Jahangir Badar and Javed Hashmi. These are seasoned politicians and have played a vital role in the promotion of democracy in Pakistan (albeit Javed Hashmi, who joined the dictator Zia’s cabinet as a minister). Primarily, student unions’ purpose is to unite students to discuss social, political, economic domestic and international issues. That debate and discussion are indispensable for social progress in several ways. Firstly, if the issues are debated, possible solutions can be found out. Secondly, it creates awareness regarding these issues amongst the young generation. Thirdly, it promotes tolerance within society, which has, unfortunately, become a rare commodity these days. Fourthly, it trains future leaders, who can excel not only in the political arena but also even in corporate organisations.
At the international level, the universities have student societies, which promote healthy debates. The prestigious Oxford University has its “student union,” which even represents Oxford University students in the university’s decision-making. Although existing independently, the Oxford Union, wherein Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto was once elected as the president during her Oxford days.
In LUMS, student unions are considered an integral part of extra-curricular activities. According to the LUMS website, as many as 33 active clubs and societies exist within the campus. These student bodies are elected while student representatives participate in the councils and have a vote on university governance. In Quaid-e-Azam University, however, departmental societies do exist, which are endowed with the functions to promote intellectual debates and arrange university trips and other healthy activities. Student unions per se are not violent at all. However, when the political parties can infiltrate within the student ranks, they try creating mutual rivalries with a motive to dominate the others. This is, indeed, the cause of violence, which disrupts educational activities and leads to intolerance and hatred. In the end, violence erupts from time to time.
Admittedly, there is no denying of the fact that our public universities have witnessed the violence of disproportionate magnitude in the past. Punjab University’s peaceful atmosphere has been under the grip of violence between different student groups. Similarly, Sindh, Karachi, Balochistan, Peshawar and Quaid-i-Azam Universities have witnessed spells of violence. Recently, a student group attacked another rival group in the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), and Syed Tufail was killed. Ironically, such incidents reinforce the perception that lifting the ban is tantamount to the promotion of violence within campuses as observed in the IIUI.
The student unions’ purpose is to unite students to discuss social, political, economic domestic and international issues
Since the ban was imposed by the dictator Zia regime, it was lifted in 1989. Later on, the Supreme Court, in its judgement in 1993 SCMR 1781, forbade students from indulging in politics. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court directed to make arrangements for a healthy student discussion and other activities exclusively related to educational needs, including arrangements of elections thereof. The order further directed, “No student or group can be given an unbridled right to control and coerce another student or group.” Hence, in the light of this judgement, there is a need to lift a ban on student unions with a strict regulatory mechanism and a specific focus on the educational needs of students. Recently, MPA Nida Khuhro presented a resolution in Sindh Assembly, calling for the lifting of the “ban on the student unions in the educational institutions of Sindh.”
It further read, “…. the government of Sindh instead of imposing a ban on the student unions, they should strictly be regulated through the code of conduct in order to avoid any conflict amongst the different student organisations.”
On December 17, the government of Sindh introduced the Sindh Student Unions Bill, 2019, in Sindh Assembly, which has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights. This is headed by Barrister Pir Mujeeb-ul-Haq, with terms of references to review the bill and report back to the assembly within two weeks. It is hoped that the student unions will be regulated under that legislation keeping in view the order of the Supreme Court. Similarly, other provincial assemblies and the parliament should also consider similar legislation.
Since the absence of student unions from the universities has not eliminated violence from the campuses, as shown by the recent incidents in Punjab University and IIUI, it is testament to the fact that the student unions are not responsible for the violence. It is the mushrooming growth of student groups without any regulatory mechanism. There should be zero tolerance for violence within or outside the campus. Hence, it is necessary to lift a ban on student unions, which must be related to intellectual discussion and educational activities. Help can also be sought from the models currently in practice at the LUMS and Oxford universities in such a manner, which is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and promotes students’ overall academic growth, tolerance in society and well-being of the nation at large.
The writer is a development sector practitioner