End unannounced martial law from our educational institutions, restore student unions and the sanctity of educational institution were the demands made by Naujwan Inqilabi Tehreek (NIT), Home-based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) and National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) during Students' Solidarity Day rally held outside Karachi Press Club on Friday.
They said in Pakistan the constitution is there and parliament, provincial assemblies and other constitutional institutions are fully functional. However, it is sad that in industries our workers does not freely enjoy their basic right of forming trade unions, and student unions are also practically banned for the last 35 years.
They said this is such a blatant violation of basic human and constitutional rights, whose bitter fruit is being eaten by the Pakistani society. They said regular elections of student unions also
help in providing alternate leadership to the nation and maintaining democratic atmosphere in educational institutions.
They regretted that a military tyrant 35 years ago placed undemocratic ban on student unions but later the elected governments also did not take steps to get the student unions restored, which shows that under a pre-planned conspiracy student unions which are nurseries of democratic institutions and progressive system were harmed and a particular undemocratic atmosphere was promoted which gave only intolerance and hatred.
They said the voices being raised for uphold of a real change were silenced in the name of national security and the educational institutions were turned into virtual jails. They said not only people were deprived of their right of making unions and associations but this process was made a taboo.
This is because the undemocratic rulers are afraid of unity and organisation of politically aware masses.
They said it is shame that all the parties ruling at the centre and provinces have their own student wings which are being used to serve their political interests, but these parties always shy away from giving basic democratic rights to people including students.
They demanded that the rights of making student unions should be accepted in all educational institutions. The education should not be made a trade. Education from primary to university level should be free.
There should be a uniform curriculum and educational system. Youths should be provided jobs or joblessness allowance.
Rangers should be withdrawn from educational institutions, and buildings and hostels under their use should be retrieved. The educational budget should be doubled by slashing non-development expenses.
Those participated in the rally included Nasir Mansoor of NTUF, Zehra Khan of HBWWF, Shah Faisal of Naujwan Inqilabi Tehreek (Young Revolutionary Movement), Saira Feroze of United Home Based Garment Workers Union, Zubair Rehman of Union News Editorial Board and others.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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