The War Against Knowledge: A means to control students
Shagufta Ramzan Baloch
In Balochistan, universities have a long history of academic suppression and censorship, stifling genuine education. Whenever students have attempted to address these issues, the government has responded with aggression. This is not a spontaneous reaction but a deliberate choice to control the minds of Balochistan’s youth through academic suppression and censorship. The same mistake is now a common practice in Balochistan’s universities, with various methods differing from one another.
If there is one thing we know about history, and about Pakistan, it is that; this country excels at perfecting the cycle of self-inflicted ruin. It doesn’t simply suffer but invites them and whenever it is given the choice of dialogue and destruction, it chooses destruction every time. And when inevitable collapse comes, it acts surprised, confused even thought it was the consequence of his own actions. This is not the first time that this state has mistaken youth intellect for insurgency, activism for rebellion, and books for bullets. History is full of such mistakes.
Balochistan’s universities are fascinating places. I should be clear that it’s not because of their academic excellence, oh no that would require an actual investment in education. What makes them remarkable and fascinating is their ability to function as both an educational institution and a military outpost, seamlessly blending bookshelves with boots, lectures with law enforcement, and exams with expulsions.
A unique ground where Baloch students don’t just carry textbooks, they mostly carry warnings, surveillance, and the ever present threat of being labeled a security risk. One thing you are taught there, is the fine art of self-censorship to avoid mysterious disappearances. And student unions? they are the dealt with very harsh and agressive manner but Let’s skip that for a while, unless, of course, you enjoy the thrill of being rusticated, beaten, or fined for the heinous crime of setting up a book stall. Talking about the book stall, Ah yes, the most dangerous weapon known to man. Forget nuclear arms; it’s Manto and Karl Marx that send chills down the state’s spine.
Unfortunately, Baloch students are not just fighting for education, if only it was that simple, they are fighting for the right to exist within academic spaces. The same fascination that the Balochistan’s universities carry is also reflected in Baloch Students. Their mere presence is the reason to be suspicious and we can see them in the characteristics they present, like, they read which is very suspicious behavior, their dangerous ability of questioning things. Critical thinking should be banned. They distribute books, terrorism, obviously. And the absolute unacceptable behavior of wanting to have a say in their own education, Diabolical!!
Now about the government? It treats them exactly how a failing state treats anyone who dares to think, with fines, expulsion, warnings and an enthusiastic application of police batons.
We have seen this before. And we know how it ends. In 1968, Mexico was given the chance to dialogue when students took the streets to demand for reform, for a voice but the government of Mexico took this as the opportunity to militarize universities, soldiers poured in, campuses turning into war zones. Students beaten, arrested and silenced. And one night at Tlatelolco the message was clear, bloodstained and permanent. Today Tlatelolco is remembered as a massacre, not a victory. Does that ring a bell? Balochistan’s students are beaten, arrested, silenced and the universities militarized.
University of Turbat opens its door for military but a professor comes and he is shown the exit swiftly? It doesn’t allow any program activities or book stalls. And no it’s not just paranoia, four students were fined for putting book stalls. Yes, book stall, the horror. The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), imitated book fair campaign named Balochisan Kitab Karwan, but they are facing hurdles by raiding the stalls, suspending and jailing the students with books. Some students were threatened, some were issued warning letters, some rusticated and banned entry at hostel.
Serious Question: what is so terrifying about a book stall?
Looking at Bolan Medical College (BMC), students are beaten for assembling and displaced for existing too loudly. Sometimes the abbreviation looks more like Beaten, Muted, Controlled than Bolan Medical College. And god forbid If you’re caught discussing something as radical as, say, student rights, you might as well start packing. And the administration is too busy standing with the one repressing the same students.
But a question once asked can’t be removed. And the truth once said will remain intact.
