Dr Nasreen Akhtar
INCREASING extremism in universities is alarming and it shows that core social and educational institutions have been declined. Intolerance has taken place instead of debate and discussion. Pakistani society is immensely polarized. Society is divided in multiple factions-ethnic, religious and sectarian. The recent convincing argument and demand from various segments for the restoration of Students Unions has opened up a new Pandora box. They want to enjoy democratic freedom. Democracy believes in tolerance and dialogues. Does Pakistani society have achieved that level of intellectual and democratic maturity? I am not sure. I have observed that our democratic political parties even lack it. I am raising two questions in this piece; does present environment in the country suitable for students’ unions? Will political parties not patronise them/students? Let me answer these questions. Firstly, Pakistan’s existing environment is not favourable to student’s unions. Students have established identity centric organizations and deeply associated with political parties. These ethno-linguistic organizations do not play constructive role at university campus. It is observed that economically weak and socially deprived students join these organizations for their educational survival and stay at campus. Students come from far flung areas to accomplish their dreams but different brands-religion, language and sects successfully hijack them.
Students’ organizations support their members who actively promote their agendas-many of them use weapons and effectively challenge the university’s administration. Politically influenced students organizations do not hesitate to spoil their educational career. Those are encouraging and leading the students rallies, to pressurize the government, are ignoring or do not know the Jinnah’s account regarding students and their educational objectives. Founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a great statesman and visionary leader. He always advised the students that they “should focus on their studies”. During his visit to Islamia College Peshawar Jinnah gave an historical message to the students that,-“develop a sound sense of discipline, character, initiative, and a solid academic background. You must devote yourself whole-heartedly to your studies, for that is your first obligation to yourselves, your parents and to the state. You must learn to obey for only then you can learn to command”. Jinnah knew that how students [youth] could play their role, he cautioned them and guided them that how could they become leading character in society. Ironically, political and civil-society, in Pakistan, is lacking vision and wisdom.It is sad that our educational curriculum has not been designed to make them productive and constructive individuals. In 1948,Jinnah advised the educational policy makers, saying that educational policy in Pakistan must be shaped in “lines suited to our history, culture and people, and having regards to modern conditions and vast development that has taken place all over the world”. He said, “What we have to mobilize our people and build up the character of our future generation. In short, this means the highest sense of honor, integrity, selfless service to the nation and sense of responsibility, and we have to see that our people are fully qualified and equipped to play their part in various branches of economic life in a manner which will do honor to Pakistan”. Today, we need to re-design our national educational policy at primary and higher levels that must enable our students to live with harmony and develop consensus on divergent views.
Muslim student’s organizations [federations], before Pakistan’s inceptions, had a great cause and they were deeply inspired and influenced by Jinnah’s personality. Today, Pakistani students don’t have a leader like Jinnah — they have many political personalities to be influenced or inspired. In a state like Pakistan, students seek authority to influence the administration at university campus or colleges. I don’t oppose the students’ unions but I would like the students to be responsible, civilized and depoliticized. They should idealize Jinnah and his philosophy. Thus they would achieve their objectives. In the recent past, College students targeted their teacher in Multan, the city of saints, the issue was sprung up over a musical night at College. Socially disordered youth, at Universities and Colleges, needs to be disciplined before the restoration of unions. Without social fabric which teaches values and norms, higher education cannot achieve its objectives to make them civilized and responsible members of the community. It is professors’ core responsibility to eradicate radicalization and extremism from educational institutions and help them emancipate from social and economic constraints in the challenging and globalised world.
For the last many years I am teaching at university and have experienced to visit several countries, West and Europe both. Universities engage them in healthy discussion and train them to perform their duties-very talented student leads the students union. Let us admit that fundamental difference between Pakistani and Western students is “mindset”. Their association with particular political, ethno-linguistic group has spoiled them. Lack of tolerance increasing aggression and extremism. Recently, brawl between two different organizations took student’s life at International Islamic University, Student who came for study and went back with empty hands to his village, without completing his degree. Students of Jamat-e- Islami and students federation [Saraiki,Balochi, Pashtuns] fought over an issue which could be resolved by the University administration, but students took weapons to resolve their grievances. Certain parameters or stern code of conduct are required to discipline the students in educational institutions. Secondly, political personalities must avoid instigating the future of Pakistan because students’ militant wings would not make Jinnah’s Pakistan progressive and moderate, however, it would be more radicalized i3f politicians would not stop using them for their political purposes. We should not forget that there is a huge difference between the present political parties and Jinnah’s ideology.
—The writer is Assistant Professor, IIUI, Islamabad.
