Student Politics in Institutions: Contextualising the Educational Priority
By: Fahad Baloch
The modern era of this universe can be attributed to evolutionary changes that have occurred in different phases in diverse mechanisms. The progressive shift in the evolutionary cycle is the very result of the effective programs deeply embedded in none other than the political system. This is the politics which creates and recreates different ideas under which a nation can govern its State and its bodies under the State. For this purpose a firm and solidified political structure is crucial in determining the direction of the governing a State, and for which structured leadership is essential and such is found in coherent ideas.
Notably, the coherent political ideas and organized political leadership can emerge through the way of political engagements. Concurrently, student politics plays a pivotal role in fostering of well-thought-out leadership along with well-defined political ideas.
In the context of student political activism, the world has always shown explicitness. From their standpoint the students are the change-makers and are the future leaders of the nation. They further maintain that youths in their learning age have to entertain political activities and make decisions based on pure facts and learn logical reasonings as well. They believe that the students in their young age life, can make critical decisions based on critical thinking and in-depth knowledge and full grasp of any issue.
In assessing the facts about student political activism in the World, we have found that United States (as considered most progressed in all life), has let student politics be upheld always. In USA student politics and Student Unions are prevalent in universities and campuses. Students do exercise in protests, demonstrations, programs and do engage in political activities. They can be seen in doing advocacy for various causes.
Moreover, in United Kingdom the ‘student political activism’ is endemic and is widespread across UK’s universities and campuses. Students are free to form unions and participate in all form of political activism and do observe protests and demonstrations.
Nevertheless, we in this State face an undeclared Martial Law which poses like a curfew type circumstance. Simultaneously, People like Sarfraz Bugti justify their detrimental choices always with a ‘Zero-tolerance for Student Activism’ mentality.
For many decades student activism has confronted numerous challenges and intimidation from the State authorities and their executive bodies. The universities have always shown unjust behaviour towards the students specifically with Baloch students in anywhere.
Indubitably, Sarfraz is part of this broad crackdown on student activism in Balochistan. In his speech at the re-opening of Bolan Medical College after its six-months closure, uttered; “The students must prioritise Education rather than Politics”. Here he is implying that student politics must cease to exist on campuses. However, the students are already facing this bitter reality of this State. But Sarfraz’s statement is further justifying their hasty decisions.
Yet, a question remains unanswered whether the student political activism is to be ignored or the cosmetic-student politics? Additionally, the student political activism is purely based on true facts and logical reasoning for the enlightenment of nation. Sarfraz’s alienating fallacy and rhetoric statement is nothing more than a false belief and misguided notion. Because true politics neither damages education nor hurts the smooth flow of acquisition of knowledge. Although, it assists in understanding the accessibility of education and acquisition of knowledge. Both the education and politics are directly proportional to each other, where weakening one badly damages the other.
He further argues that “I am talking about the negative politics, not positive politics”. Now for him the term ‘Positive Politics’ is like ‘Adapting as Received’ not otherwise. Where, there is no room for criticism, creativity, questioning and critical analysis. In contrast, the student politics is based on critical analysis and logical reasoning rather than a system of rote.
Notwithstanding, the emphasis on Prioritising education over other activities — over political activism, it is paradoxical that the said college remained closed for six months under the guise of renovation, which is also part of the evidence. If education truly was a priority, why did it remained closed for an extended period, causing students to stuck into a setback hinders in their academic year? This notion of ‘Priority’ is nothing, but a delusion which merely aimed to disrupt the smooth way of educational process. Meanwhile, the student organisations, including Baloch Students Action Committee protested and staged a 25-days long sit-in in front of the College gate, braving freezing temperatures, to demand nothing but the college’s re-opening and the resumption of academic activities.
In concluding, the Baloch students must be aware and be able to understand the alienating ideas and delusions always quoted by some individuals practicing the political-mimicking despite of politics. Because they aim to cement their legacy of corruption, hypocrisy, duplicity and ineptitude — in short political-mimicking in the upcoming generations. Their existence is only linked to the cosmetic-politics which is totally based on corruption and incompetency.
We the students must understand the meaning of true politics and genuine student political activism leaving beyond the fallacies stated by individuals backed by powerful authorities. We must practice the principles of logical reasoning and critical thinking. We must be aware of the consequences of ‘No Politics’ which lead a nation to nowhere, but to decay. The Baloch students must be familiar with the prerequisites of their national struggle and the history. They must be able to thoroughly digest the knowledge and politics in their very true form.
The Baloch students are very much fortunate to have organised and structured student organisations like Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) advocating for their very rights and striving to ensure well-thought-out knowledge and struggle to achieve the highest possible level of critical thinking and logical reasoning. They unhesitatingly and unreservedly have their liberty to join such organisations and be part of the student activism in universities to lead their nation and to struggle to fulfil the very requisites of their nation.
