Islamabad youth demand revival of student unions
Chanting revolutionary slogans hundreds of students flock outside National Press Club
Activists hold a demonstration for the revival of student unions. PHOTOS: ZAFAR ASLAM/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
With the scope of the movement against the ban on student unions in educational institutions broadening, youth and radical activists came out waving red flags and bandanas to push for their demands.
Chanting revolutionary slogans hundreds of students flocked outside National Press Club in the federal capital against the ban on student unions and warning to continue protest until their demands were met.
During the protest, the demonstrators demanded reduction of fees and implementation of policies against harassment of women in educational institutions. They said the protest will continue until the demands are met. The students also staged a rally from press club to D-Chowk.
Prominent among the protest were some aged members of the far left. Though few in numbers, there ideological struggle seemed far from over. The protestors were carrying playcards inscribed with slogans such as, “Neither Religious, Nor National War only Class War,” and “Three Signs of Liberation, Students, Labour and Farmers.”
The demonstrators were also carrying pictures of Mishal Khan and chanted “Mashal Khan ko surkh salam,” to pay homage to the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, student who was killed by an angry mob in the premises of the university on April 13, 2017, over his radical ideas.
The disk jockeys kept playing local and foreign songs of revolution and the mood of the demonstration was festive. Police kept a safe distance. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after the protest.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2019.
With the scope of the movement against the ban on student unions in educational institutions broadening, youth and radical activists came out waving red flags and bandanas to push for their demands.
Chanting revolutionary slogans hundreds of students flocked outside National Press Club in the federal capital against the ban on student unions and warning to continue protest until their demands were met.
During the protest, the demonstrators demanded reduction of fees and implementation of policies against harassment of women in educational institutions. They said the protest will continue until the demands are met. The students also staged a rally from press club to D-Chowk.
Prominent among the protest were some aged members of the far left. Though few in numbers, there ideological struggle seemed far from over. The protestors were carrying playcards inscribed with slogans such as, “Neither Religious, Nor National War only Class War,” and “Three Signs of Liberation, Students, Labour and Farmers.”
The demonstrators were also carrying pictures of Mishal Khan and chanted “Mashal Khan ko surkh salam,” to pay homage to the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, student who was killed by an angry mob in the premises of the university on April 13, 2017, over his radical ideas.
The disk jockeys kept playing local and foreign songs of revolution and the mood of the demonstration was festive. Police kept a safe distance. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after the protest.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2019.