A few weeks ago, a boy was beaten badly near Department of Food Science and Technology in an alleged party clash.
KARACHI: One of the most reputable universities of Pakistan, University of Karachi, has pretty much been converted into a warzone. Clashes of different political parties take place almost all the time, marring the atmosphere of this university. There are indeed days when strict discipline is observed on university grounds, but on days when clashes do break out, Rangers and the police are unable to contain them and everything goes helter-skelter.
One must question what political parties are doing in an educational institution. A few weeks ago, a boy was beaten badly near the Department of Food Science and Technology in what was widely alleged to be a party clash. Both his legs were damaged in the brawl and he was reduced to a condition in which he could not even ask for help from other students. On top of it all, university teachers, who were standing nearby, had no courage or authority to put an end to the fight.
It is not only students, but also teachers, who are unsafe when clashes break out on campus. There have been many times when teachers have also become victims of violent party members and numerous incidents of this kind have been reported over the years. Moreover, the arts lobby at the university is increasingly recognised to be the centre of these clashes. It is not unheard of for students to keep guns for their personal protection or their party’s protection. Indeed, this menace is not just faced by the University of Karachi. Political activists have penetrated deeply into many colleges of Pakistan. Needless to say, this situation demands urgent attention.
Tahira Naseem
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2014.
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