Re: Student politics and Violence
well said deedawar I totally agree with you
Re: Student politics and Violence
Thanks Syed Sahab for bringing this important issue forward.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Violence on our campuses is symptomatic of our society in general. Where do we not have violence? Assembly halls, mosques, imam bargha, madaris, tribal, provinicial, national etc etc. Since ppl are blown up in mosques and imam bargha should we ban religion from our lives? Problem is not with the institution of politics or political activity, problem arises when individuals or group of people behave in a manner which violates law of the land yet are not held accountable.
Liaqat Baloch, Hafiz Butt are just two examples of student leaders (Ghoondas/thugs) who have numerous cases of murder, arson, attempted murder, assault registered against their names but have never been tried in the court of law. Students of Punjab Universities can tell u how these two characters were involved in all sorts of violence, yet no one dared touch them cause the state was behind them. Today, one is member National assembly and the other member Punjab assembly.
Pakistan is a poor state with weak political institutions and a culture of the rich and powerful changing loyalties and staying in power. Educated, midle class people can only hope to be part of the political culture through college universities, if these doors are also closed because of some vested interest groups, then we will be stuck with the feudals, army, mullas and civil servants running our lives as they already do.
Solution lies in the state acting as the neutral party and being an effective implementer of justice irrespective of political affinities.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Fartguru is right.
The whole country revolves around force and violence. We are being ruled by an Army who is forcing their rule by their guns. The people they have installed such as Gov.Ibad had numerous murder cases against them before they were taken away by Mush.
When this happens, how do you expect the rest of the country to react?
Re: Student politics and Violence
Well, many great points are raised by FG.
I am sure you will agree politics cannot be taught in school and colleges/universities. Perhaps political science major know better few definitions and political systems but being a politician is far and above that.
What our politicians lack is sense of national interest, their national pride and mind set on doing good for the people which would make life easy for general public. How long does it take to make a simple rule which would eliminate problems of utility bills? But we see assemblies talking about international politics while ignoring their own countrymen problems in daily life!
What you are bringing up is lack of law and order situation created by the politicians themselve directly or indirectly by not making more legislations while in assemblies which would stop bringing criminals into assemblies.
*The notion that the only hope for middle class to get to politics is through student politics is a catchy one, but far from reality. *
What really happens that poor or middle class person gets sucked up by the powerful politicians running the show from behind the curtain...and this person loses chance to at least get descent education and be useful for himself or others. These middle class people and for that matter, educated people in politics act as peasants for the queens and kings of the politics and are under constant pressure to make choices which they would otherwise not make....!!
I was listening to Sahikh Rashid the other day in an nterview and assuming what his said was right that he was not from a rich class he was betrayed by his own party people perhaps three times and until Musharaf he was not able to become so powerful as to make any difference in politics. It is still debatable if he really is capable of making any difference now since he seems to have no strong 'connections'.
There are few who we know came through student politics and while they are fresh air into dirty atmosphere, they are not able to go against their ....lets say ....masters.
Real social and scientific education is one of the key for element for better furture of many students. That is why we see sardars, choadhries etc. afraid of people being educated and either they do not allow educational institutions to be built or they want to exploit educational institutions to be used for their hidden or open agenda.
We know young people are emotional and immature and many are idealistic and they easily get allured into thinking that politicians are like their hero and what this politician says will bring great things to the country or the world.........! Has that happened yet?
Are we willing to sacrifice thousands of students carrier just to get less than 5 good politicians from 'student' community?
We are the one who give these politicians a celebrity status in media such as Khar........or pir Pagara even though they chase women all their life or talk crap and BS. We never saw these people giving benefit to the society!
Even in large democratic countries, politicians come from community and later party affiliation mainly AFTER education and not DURING education period. Thier thoughts may develop early but active role in educational institution is not allowed. Few corrupt politicians make it to power even in developed countries but majority is focused on national interest, law and order situation (peaceful environment) and education for all.
So its a myth in my opinion that student politics will and can generate great independant powerful politicians!
Make more people educated and civilised, bring law and order in control and get rid of family based politics and Pakistan may have better chance.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Make more people educated and civilised, bring law and order in control and get rid of family based politics and Pakistan may have better chance.
Deedawar,
Could'nt have said it better myself, these are all very good ideas from a macro perspective. Question arises, who will lead the way? Army think (stink) tanks? semi-literate mullahs? obnoxious feudals? servile yet gora sahib civil servants? Ruthless tribal chiefs? Best chance any society has comes from its intelligensia, thinkers, philosophers (socrates, plato, Iqbal, Ghazali) who give direction to the people, a ideology which ha slongterm implications. Who best to understand and implement those ideas? Students.
Your apprehensions are well placed, fit well with Paki context. We need to allow some confusion, contradictions, political jockeying, shenanigans things which make the normal folks sick in the stomach, yet is the perfect diet for politicians. Politics is a dynamic process with no boundaries, no firm relationships or clear policies. Basic idea is to serve the people, it is for the people, by the people and of the people. Who else to make people understand their rights? Students.
Bhutto was carried by students in his early days of politics, so was Mujeeb ur rehman, both are not great examples yet indicate power of student politics. Similar examples can be found in Muslim brotherhood of Egypt in its early days, or that of Hussain Haqqani, Ahmed Rasheed, Aitazaz Ehsan, Sh Rasheed, Farooq Sattar, Chou En Lai etc etc. All these characters have participated in student politics and then went on to be important figures in their political setups.
Compare that too Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif both products of rich families or army patronage. Had political leadership evolved from the grassroot, then things could have been very different. Then again, that will not be acceptable to those who wish status quo.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Violence in not only in universities in cities like karachi normally it is reported in intermediate colleges.A 16 17 year old from a middle class or lower class background dont know anything about politics but when he gets admission in one of the government colleges he is literally force to join some party otherwise he wont be able to survive in that college.
These student wings "welcome" the students and have their stalls.With two three parties in the college if that student refuses to join one party he has to join the other to have some backing because the party he refused will be after him.
Political activity should not be allowed at intermediate level.In universities political activity can be allowed the same way it used to be in the 50s and 60s.
Re: Student politics and Violence
We are more or less saying the same thing with one major difference in opinion so far. That is active involvement in politics by the students.
That needs to be stopped.
Lets define students:
Like Syed said if I get him right and he can disagree with my perception from him that lower level of education needs to be purely academic. No politics whatsoever till completion of 12th grade.
But I would say (admittedly controversial) even after that, there is no need for 'students' to be involved into politics and they need to focus on *research, inventions/innovations, teaching and community work! *
They must attend city council meetings as observers or some political meetings without any party affiliations so they could see what it involves running a city/qasbah or the country.
Parents do not send their children to schools, colleges or Universities to become politicians or be politician's slaves my friend!
Its a waste of their time, and money by the parents and govt. alike.
They need to become independant society members before going into politics.
Many including Farooq Sattar didn't get active role till medical college or any other higher level. He had community work as his background as well which brought much stronger sympathy from people .
We just cannot afford to exploit or let others exploit students with relatively immature minds to get handful of politicinas and even among them not all become great. Its like sacrifice of thousands of students to get few possible good politicinas.....not a smart choice.
Bhutto-Mujeeb as you said were BROUGHT BY the students..............so like I stated before students were used to bring these kind of at least partly evil minded people into power which resulted in disaster for millions.
PPP was continued on student level but elected a family member Bhutto and no student politician was selected by the party for powerful role since again I must say, students are USED but do not get to power.
Its been ingrained into our minds that student politics is somehow a 'backbone' of country's politics. Its plain and simple wrong.
Good politicians (or at least in my humble opinion) should come from community work and lower level elections.....BY THE PEOPLE of the community who first see the person working good for its people and then elect him/her to be a legislator.
Parties also must select these people and not the family members of wadera/chaudhry or sardar etc.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Deedawar
I agree with you, political activity if any must be allowed only after intermediate level and that too needs to be critically examined if there are signs of outside interference. Politics practiced in our educational institutions is very different to what is considered permissable in western institutions. Then again, they have very well organized primaries and secondaries which cuiltivates a strong political base. Thus, Pakistan's need for student politics is a case of neccessity rather than a permanent solution.
Re: Student politics and Violence
Yes. Its the society at large which must take part in electing/selecting people from among themselves to serve in Govt. The perception of Govt. being the ruler must be abolished.
Afterall, govt., police and army is paid by hard working people at least by major portion.
Re: Student politics and Violence
KARACHI: Altaf changes APMSO’s name
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, April 24: The All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation has been renamed as the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation in a major structural change announced by the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement while speaking at a general workers meeting here on Monday.
Mr Hussain, who was also linked up with his supporters in Hyderabad and other parts of the province, asked the students to remain calm and unprovoked.
He advised the youngsters to adopt humility, tolerance, commitment and dedication in order to help promote tradition and culture in the society. While the meeting at Azizabad’s Lal Qila Ground in Karachi was attended by hundreds of students from varsities and colleges, the meeting at Hyderabad was also attended by youngsters from Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah as well.
The change was long overdue because of the change in the nomenclature of the parent body, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
All activities of the Mohajir Students Organisation will remain suspended till further orders, he said.
Describing the APMSO as a nursery to impart lessons on decent and civilized behaviour for the youngsters to grow in life to be good citizens of tomorrow, showing respect for parents, teachers, elders, ladies etc.
He asked the APMSO members to keep a vigilant eye on elements who by using the name of their organisation, were trying to sabotage it from within and hurt its reputation and interests.
Mr Hussain urged the students to show tolerance and humility in the face of provocation.
Re: Student politics and Violence
KARACHI: City colleges observe ‘black day’
KARACHI, April 24: Teaching activities remained suspended in around 118 colleges in Karachi on Monday as college teachers boycotted academic activities in protest against the killing of a student belonging to the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) at the Government Commerce and Economics College a few days back.
The call for boycott of teaching activities in the city colleges was given by the Sindh Professors and Lecturers’ Association (SPLA), which was also enraged over the growing incidents of violence at educational institutes, especially an incident at the Islamia Arts and Commerce College Karachi in which five motorcycles and car of the principal were set on fire.
Teachers held protest meetings in their respective colleges against the growing incidents of violence and condemned the terrorist activities at colleges and vowed to leave no stone unturned for liberating educational institutes from the grip of “terrorists and anti-social elements”.
The protesting teachers demanded an immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the killing of a Government Commerce College’s student Akmal and those who torched the vehicles at the Islamia College and also demanded compensation for the vehicles.
The SPLA office-bearers at a meeting held at the D.J Science College announced holding of the SPLA executive council meeting on April 25 at Hyderabad to discuss the prevailing law and order situation at colleges in Karachi and the SPLA’s strategy in this regard. On the occasion, the SPLA office-bearers condemned the growing violence against innocent students and teachers at colleges and deplored that both the city and the Sindh governments were maintaining a mysterious silence over the situation.
Prof Manzoor Hussain Chishti of the SPLA urged political parties to control their student wings and direct them to pay attention towards gaining knowledge instead of resorting to terrorism. The SPLA also demanded to authorise the teachers to play their role in administrative affairs.
Meanwhile, the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), which had supported the SPLA’s boycott call, also observed black day against the killing of its worker Syed Akmal Shah at the Government Commerce and Economics College, Karachi. Protest demonstrations were held at educational institutes, which were attended by a large number of IJT workers who chanted slogans against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans and demands for the removal of Sindh governor, home minister and arrest of killers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.—PPI
Re: Student politics and Violence
What a great loss for students and the nation when education institutions are suspended!!
Re: Student politics and Violence
KARACHI: Student groups given three days to close offices
KARACHI, May 4: The vice-chancellors of public and private varsities, principals of colleges and heads of law enforcing agencies at a meeting on Thursday issued a three-day ultimatum to student organizations to close down their offices and remove party flags, banners, posters and boards from educational institutes.
The meeting, headed by the Sindh Home Minister, Rauf Siddiqui, warned that after the expiry of the deadline, varsity and college administrations would be compelled to remove all kinds of political advertisement material in collaboration with the police and the Rangers.
It was further decided that students without proper identity cards and uniforms would not be allowed to enter educational institutes while nobody would be allowed to carry even licensed weapons inside colleges and varsities.
The meeting also decided that no one other than students would be allowed to stay in hostels while entry of students would be thoroughly checked at gates of all educational institutes where the police and Rangers would assist college and varsity administrations.
The heads of educational institutes and law enforcers further decided to take strict disciplinary action against any student found interrupting academic and teaching activities.
They also decided to hold regular parent-teacher meetings to strengthen academic activities at educational institutes.
It was also decided to constitute committees comprising heads of educational institutes, teachers, parents and students to take immediate action and measures in case of any untoward incident at educational campuses.
The meeting further stressed complete implementation of code of conduct and strict disciplinary action against teachers and non-teaching staff in case they showed partiality and favoured any student organization.
It was decided that VCs, principals and other participants of Thursday’s meeting would meet again next month to review the law and order situation at educational institutes and the result of steps decided in this meeting.
During the meeting, VCs freely expressed their grievances and gave suggestions regarding improvement in the law and order situation at campuses.
They called for strict measures to check and stop the entry of outsiders and miscreants into educational institutes.
They stressed the need for making collaborative efforts by the government, administrations of educational institutes, teachers, parents and students and called for promotion of extracurricular activities to engage students in healthy and constructive activities.
Participants of the meeting included VC of Karachi University Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, VC NED University Engr Abul Kalam, VC Federal Urdu University Dr Iqbal Mohsin, VC Dow University Dr Masood Hamid, VC Sir Syed University Z A Nizami and Principal of the Sindh Medical College Tariq Sharafat Ullah.
Besides, DG Rangers Sindh Maj-Gen Javed Zia, IG Police Sindh Jahangir Mirza, Special Secretary Home Rasheed Alam, CCPO Karachi Niaz Siddiqui, Additional IG Special Branch Fayyaz Ali Khan, DIG Operations Karachi Mushtaq Shah and TPOs of several towns also attended the meeting.—PPI
Re: Student politics and Violence
Unfortunately many institutions which supposedly have "parhay likhay log" display the same insanity which you see outside. I keep repeating it everywhere :D, but our country really needs REAL Justice system, where people do get justice and don't have to wait for 50 years, where people don't get put into jail for 30 years then later on found guilty, criminals really get caught and punished. Once we get that then we will see less of violence because people will know that if they are caught they will be punished.