September 02, 2007

IN pre-meditated attempts, two students lost their lives in Karachi last month while dozens were badly injured. As a result, ripples of tension have spread in all the institutions of higher learning. These incidents are not the first of their kind. In the recent flurry of violence in a federal campus located in Karachi a few months ago, a student was reportedly killed by a rival group. In Punjab University, a student group belonging to a politico-religious party thrashed a few students for their alleged ‘non Islamic’ conduct on campus. Similarly, student wings belonging to different parties pelted stones at traffic near a major engineering college in Karachi. They were raising slogans in favour of their various demands including the affiliation of the college to a university to dispel the academic uncertainty.

A close look at trends reveals many important facts. Educational institutions that have grown very large in student numbers and departments become difficult to manage. Universities in Pakistan where the student body has crossed 10,000 or more become soft targets for perpetrators of heinous crimes. The infiltration of student wings of political parties also goes undetected in such situations. Similarly such institutions where key administrative issues remain unresolved soon become hot beds of violence. And, where the governance structure is weak, violence and riots flame up every now and then. A review of violence and student unrest reveals many corresponding issues that need re-appraisal in an objective and impartial manner.

The last quarter of a century saw the rise of militancy amongst student groups. Political and religious parties made inroads into the otherwise benign student bodies and created an un-healing divide. Difference of opinion was dealt through armed assaults instead of dialogue and discussion. Rising gun culture greatly enhanced the nuisance value of these student groups that were fueled from outside. Thus a time came when academic activities were taken hostage by these warring factions leading to a total paralysis of teaching, learning and research. A large group of administrators, academics and even silent majority of student body oppose political activities in campuses – including resurrection of unions. Revival of local unions without outside links or patronage and initiation of gun free healthy student politics in the campus remain ambitious objectives.

In retrospect, student unions faced a terrible blow during the tyrannical regime of General Zia during 1980s. The later regimes also considered unions a thorny issue. Conflicting view points are usually cited for and against the revival. The administrators and academics that support the reincarnation of student unions are of the view that unions tend to generate a healthy platform for the youth to carry out multifarious activities. It gives them first hand experience of managing some of the affairs towards the well being and interest of the student fraternity.

Student unions also provide the youth with the first exposure to provisional democracy. The process of creation of unions through campaigns and elections as well as their day to day running is by itself a useful learning ground. The organisation of rallies, communication with prospective voters, preparation and articulation of manifesto, raising funds and engaging in dialogues with opposing groups are vital experiences for future professionals. No wonder that all the prestigious universities in the world have a strong and living tradition of elected student unions.

Lack of statesmanship among the political leadership has been a major factor behind student violence. To create inroads for future workers, party leadership uses all kinds of overt and covert techniques to institute pressure groups into educational institutions. It is this kind of irresponsible political leadership that is to blame for the current wave of violence.

It is a bitter truth that an ethno-political party that dominates the city government in Karachi is fanning student sentiments while its arch rival religious party is following its tread marks! Both are known to be the harbingers of militant politics in all domains including student affairs. On more than one occasion, they have fought inconclusive duels in various campuses in the city. However, the worst outcome of their futile rivalry is the penetration of student militancy in high schools and degree colleges during the past few years. No wonder high school students resort to coaching centres of different colours and hues.

The regime believes that by deploying a few security personnel, they will avert any impending violence. Reality shows otherwise. Preventive measures taken by the administration fall short of maintaining peace and tranquility in the campuses. The Rangers have been entrusted with this task; they operate according to the directives of Sindh government and their own command structure.

In the recent events of violence, it was found that the role of the said paramilitary force was ineffective. There have been several instances in the past when riots broke out in the presence of Rangers whose response fell short of expectations. The use of brute force, catching anyone who is running in case of a cataclysm and stampede and the incapability to locate and round up the culprits have been major shortcomings. And rioters appear to be well aware of law enforcement personnel’s shortcomings. They use all tactics to choose weak points, carry out their activities and disappear.

In some instances, the trespassing of a campus premises becomes the reason for violence. Lax gate keeping practices, the inability to safeguard boundary walls and ineffective checking has led to the entry of trouble makers and smuggling of fire arms into the campus. Rioters often scale boundary walls and easily enter the premises. Urdu University recently experienced this lapse. The campus administration leaves security matters to the Rangers which obviously is not their job. They need active assistance from college / university administrations to fully understand the situation before taking a step.

Many argue that the Rangers will have to be posted at the educational institutions with a renewal terms of reference befitting training and skill development. There is a strong need to expand the vigilance on unwanted elements in the campus. In house security supervisors with adequate expertise need to be hired and posted in educational institutions to keep a check on entry and exit points in the campuses. University administrations must also make it a practice to punish those students who may be found guilty of misconduct and violation of academic norms.

A code of ethics need to be prepared and discussed for approval by all the concerned political parties that nature their student wings. An open discussion and dialogue must form the basis of this process. Students must be invited to participate in the attempts of maintaining campus peace in their own interest. If these arrangements become successful and are sustained for some time, the idea of reviving indigenous student activities may become ripe for application.