Protests rallies held against illegally arresting four Baloch Students along books in Gwadar| BSAC
The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) organized a series of protests in various cities of Balochistan, including Turbat, Naseerabad, Quetta, DG Khan, Khuzdar, Malir Karchi and Gwadar, to condemn the actions of state authorities against the Balochistan Kitab Karwan’s book fairs campaign and raiding a stall in Gwadar, illegally arresting four Baloch Students with books and other educational rights of students in the region. The protests were sparked by two key grievances: the forceful stoppage of ongoing book stalls organized under the banner of Balochistan Kitab Karwan, and the illegal detention of students by Gwadar Police and security personnel, who were detained along with books and later charged with some bogus FIR.
The protests highlighted the state’s anti-educational sentiments. Students argue that state institutions, including law enforcement, are actively hindering the pursuit of knowledge, and through such actions, they are stifling the intellectual growth of the region’s youth. The book stalls, which aimed to promote education and intellectual discourse, were seen as a symbol of the students’ resistance to oppressive state policies, yet their closure represented a broader effort to suppress knowledge and critical thinking.
The rallies also expressed concerns over the illegal detention of students and their books by the Gwadar Police, and the authorities of targeting individuals who are actively involved in educational and cultural movements. Such practices are part of a deliberate strategy to intimidate and suppress those who are striving for academic advancement and a better future through education.
The protests took place at key educational institutions, including Turbat University, the Law College Turbat, Makuran Medical College Turbat, University of Gwadar, University College Dera Murad Jamali in Naseerabad, the Quetta Press Club in Quetta, Khuzdar city, Dg Khan Press Club and Malir Karahi. By organizing these protests across several cities and involving both students and academic staff, BSAC aimed to draw attention to the challenges faced by students in Balochistan, who are subject to systemic repression that undermines their right to education.
Through these rallies, BSAC sought to convey the message that these actions are part of a broader pattern of state repression aimed at silencing dissent and discouraging intellectual progress. The protests were an assertion of the students’ right to access education freely and an expression of their determination to resist any attempts to curtail their academic and cultural activities. The BSAC views such state interference as a direct attack on their pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment, which they see as essential for the socio-political betterment of the region.
Spokesperson for Baloch Students Action Committee
