Media thrashed in clash over girls’ right to play cricket
A group of girls participated in a cricket game at the University of Karachi, when a group of boys allegedly beat them up with bats. The incident incited angry responses from fellow students who held a protest outside the administration block on Monday. PHOTOS: AYSHA SALEEM/ EXPRESS
A large number of students protested on Monday morning against the alleged beating of girls at the University of Karachi (KU) by members of a student organisation. During the protest, the arrival of the Rangers and KU security personnel resulted in a violent clash between the media and security forces, which resulted in the media being held hostage inside the campus for a few hours.
The protest was staged in solidarity with the four girls, playing cricket with their classmates last Wednesday near the bus terminal, who were injured in a clash between the players and activists of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT).
Trash the girls
On Monday, students belonging to different departments made their way to the administration block holding placards that said ‘Playing cricket is not a crime’ and ‘Playing cricket is our right!’
“The girls were only trying to protect their friends,” claimed a group of girls belonging to the political sciences department. “If the university has no problem, who are these people to tell us what to do and what not to do?” asked Wafa, a second-year student.
Another group of girls, belonging to the women studies department, said they have been playing cricket outside their department for a while now, but never had such a situation arisen before.
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A student belonging to the chemical engineering department who was present when the incident occurred, said that they were in the middle of the game when some boys on motorcycles came over. “We could hear arguments and raised voices, after which the situation went ugly,” he recalled.
“Harassment from this group of boys happens a lot,” said another student from the social works department. “Just a few months ago, they held a girls tournament on their own. Why didn’t their people come out and protest back then?” asked another student angrily.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, vice-secretary of the All Pakistan Muttahida Student Organisation, Wajiha, said that the four girls were beaten up with bats on their heads, shoulders and faces. “The girls only defended their friends,” she said, adding that even though the Rangers took away the boys, they were released soon after and are free to roam about. “The administration did not take any notice. In fact we are repeatedly being told not to protest,” she said.
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Conversely, the IJT information secretary, Ukasha Mustafa, said that the whole incident is a propaganda being used to defame them. “In the past, we have conducted several such activities. Why would we have a problem all of a sudden?” he asked. “Fights and minor clashes are a norm here, but this whole incident is fake. We demand that a committee be formed and the matter be dealt with by the administration,” he said.
Clash between media and campus security
The protest was proceeding peacefully when campus security personnel and Rangers arrived and began to manhandle media personnel. Previously, the reporters had trouble entering the campus as the guards were told not to allow the media entry to cover the protest. Cameramen and reporters were forced to hand over their electronic devices, resulting in an exchange of harsh words, which intensified the already tumultuous situation.
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A fight erupted between reporters, guards and KU campus security officer Muhammad Zubair. A reporter was beaten up by the security personnel, as the exchange of words became harsher. They tried to push him into one of the security vans but failed, as other reporters resisted.
While the media personnel went to the vice chancellor (VC) to register a complaint, all entry and exit gates of the university were sealed. Everyone on campus was held hostage and not allowed to leave the premises. It was an hour later, after intervention by the VC, that students and shuttles were allowed to leave, while the media personnel were kept hostage. The media personnel demanded the termination of Zubair on charges of manhandling. After much debate, the registrar and VC assured the media personnel that a three-member committee would be formed to investigate the incident and due action will be taken against the culprits. Information minister Nisar Khuhro has also taken notice of the incident and demanded a report. “Violence against journalists should not be allowed,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2015.