KARACHI: A recent clash at the University of Karachi (KU) between members of All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO) and the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) led to suspension of educational activities in the campus.
Fights between student wings of different political parties have become an accepted, but much abhorred part of academic life. The Express Tribune recently conducted the following poll:
In your opinion, should student political groups in universities and colleges be banned?
A total of 776 people (74%) voted in favour of banning student political groups on campus, while 272 (26%) voted in favour of on-campus political activity.
The main victims of these brawls are the students. When approached by The Express Tribune a majority of students condemned the frequent clashes, but held out little hope for a solution. One of the students said armed clashes in an educational institution are shocking and such incidents in a state university “represents nothing but terrorism”.
Others highlighted that these fights not only affect the students but also those who are associated with the university. One student suggested that there should not be any political parties in the university while another said that a student body with representatives of all stakeholders should be constituted, which can solve issues through dialogue rather than violence.
COMMENTS (13)
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Both the political parties have a track record of murders, voilence, abductions, kidnappings and use of weapons. Both need to sought it amongst themselves. The lesser the better.
Ban is not the solution. No doubt about this. But, the students organizations should not be armed in any university. Student politics is necessary for a nation like us.
I don't know about this incident but in general IJT students try to implement "shariat" every where, which is kind annoying.
During one of the previous government's tenure, I suggested to the Head of the State to put a complete ban on political and religious-political parties in all educational institutions of Pakistan.
I am grateful to the former President of Pakistan that he took serious note on my suggestion and issued orders to ban all political and religious-political parties in all Government run Colleges and Universities in the country.
The request was made on the ground that parents send their children to Colleges and Universities to study and not to get injured or killed.
I don't think that this is going to happen in a democratic setup.
This year my son graduated from a local Government College and I took him to Karachi University just to show him the atmosphere of KU. That was the last day for him. Now he will be appearing in all future examinations as an "External Candidate".
The life of my son is more precious than political or religious-political activities of University of Karachi.
Not just political but also the religious parties while at it .
The Only hope is Student Union..nothing else, since the student unions were banned by the then dictator zia ul haq...the campus terrorism has been arrived.......
what a logic!!! because there was a rotten apple and you have eaten or made to eat it so now lets ban apple!!! and this comes from university going students!!!
Pre-req to any khair is the ability of people to judge things on merit! at least take a sensible position and define white and black from there!
That doesnt mean that I'm pro or against Student Bodies in campus here... my point is that I'll not even listen to an argument which is based on recency factor or subject's bad condition rather then holistic view and on the idea of it!
This way of argument can actually be applied to any thing and make it ban-able... be it masjid, parliment, judiciary, school, hospital, shopping centers, trading, parks, recreation, entertainment etc etc
I come from an apolitical university and I agree what the lady at the end said. A central student organization is the best recommendation. We had something similar in our college and none of our academic activities were disturbed when we had any issu with the admin.
Usually in political universities strikes happen because of clashes between these political groups.
The apolitical students in these universities should take the initiative to formulate a central student organization.
Govt should band all political parties in edu institutions.
@senman - sorry, but this nation has nothing else to give and leaders themselves are equally involved in such matters! and I'm sure these leaders have made a note of this as this all itself would've been a part of their agenda anyway!
Very Sad, hope leaders of Pakistan make note of this.