The Students Movement in Pakistan: A Chronicle of Struggle and Change
Introduction
The students movement in Pakistan has been a powerful force in shaping the country's socio-political landscape. From the early days of Pakistan's independence to the contemporary era, students have played a crucial role in advocating for democratic reforms, social justice, and educational advancements. This article explores the evolution of student activism in Pakistan, highlighting key moments, figures, and the ongoing impact of student movements on the nation's trajectory.
Historical Context
The seeds of student activism in Pakistan were sown during the country's formative years. In the 1950s, students were instrumental in challenging the autocratic rule of the early military regimes. The most significant early movement was the 1953 student protests against the government's educational policies, which laid the groundwork for future activism.
The 1960s: Rise of Student Unions and Political Awakening
The 1960s marked a golden era for student activism in Pakistan. During this decade, students organized large-scale protests against the military regime of President Ayub Khan. The movement gained momentum with the formation of the West Pakistan Students Union (WPSU), which advocated for democratic reforms and opposed the oppressive policies of the government.
The 1968-1969 student movement was a pivotal moment in Pakistani history. Students from universities across the country mobilized against the regime's authoritarian practices, demanding political freedom, and socio-economic equality. The movement played a critical role in the eventual resignation of Ayub Khan and the transition to democratic governance.
The 1980s: Repression and Resistance
The 1980s, under the military dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, witnessed a period of intense repression. Student unions were banned, and political dissent was met with harsh crackdowns. Despite this, students continued to resist through underground networks and clandestine activities.
The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and other institutions became centers of intellectual resistance. The student protests of 1983, against Zia's oppressive policies and the introduction of strict religious laws, demonstrated the enduring spirit of activism even in the face of adversity.
The 1990s and Early 2000s: Political Shifts and Student Involvement
The 1990s saw a shift in focus from purely political activism to issues of educational reform and student rights. Students began advocating for improved educational infrastructure, more inclusive curricula, and better facilities. The rise of private universities and the expansion of higher education became central issues.
In the early 2000s, the movement adapted to new challenges, including the fight against privatization and commercialization of education. The students' advocacy extended to issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental concerns, reflecting a broader and more inclusive agenda.
Recent Developments: Digital Activism and the New Generation
In recent years, the nature of student activism in Pakistan has evolved with the advent of digital technology. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for organizing protests, raising awareness, and mobilizing support. The #StudentsAgainstRape and #RestoreStudentUnions campaigns are notable examples of how digital tools have facilitated activism and brought attention to critical issues.
Student unions, which were re-established in the late 2010s, have played a significant role in advocating for educational reforms and student rights. The revival of student unions has led to increased political engagement and a renewed focus on issues such as fee hikes, quality of education, and campus safety.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the progress, student movements in Pakistan face several challenges. Political interference, administrative hurdles, and limited freedom of expression continue to pose obstacles. The effectiveness of student activism often depends on navigating these challenges while maintaining a focus on core issues.
Looking ahead, the future of student movements in Pakistan will likely be shaped by a combination of traditional activism and digital innovation. The new generation of students is increasingly aware of global issues and is using technology to advocate for change on both local and international fronts.
Conclusion
The students movement in Pakistan has a rich history of advocating for justice, democracy, and educational reform. From the early protests of the 1950s to the digital activism of today, students have consistently played a vital role in shaping the country's socio-political landscape. As Pakistan continues to evolve, the resilience and creativity of its student movements will remain a crucial factor in driving positive change and fostering a more equitable society.
Although the British Empire expanded, the native Indians never accepted their dominance. On May 10, 1857, Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army, drawn mostly from Muslim units from Bengal, rose against the British in the Meerut garrison some 80 km from Delhi and marched to Delhi. The rising was mainly to protest against the use of the newly issued rifle bullets, alleged to have a wax sealing made of the fats of pigs that was to be removed from the teeth before use. Since pigs are forbidden in the Islam, the Muslim soldiers resented its use and took up arms against their British masters. At Delhi, they captured the famous "Lal Qila" (Red Fort) and reinstated Bahadar Shah Zafar (the last Mughul monarch) to throne. Soldiers in other garrisons also followed the suit and soon much of north and central India was plunged into a year-long insurrection against the British. The British reacted and laid a siege of the Fort, which continued for a while but finally the British owing to their access to artillery and large number of forces stormed the Fort. Bahadur Shah Zafar fled to Humayun's tomb. The British plundered Delhi and killed many Indian soldiers (and civilians) and artillery was set up in the main mosque in the city to bombard suspected localities, specially the homes of the Muslim nobility. The British forces also arrested Bahadur Shah and days after the arrest, a British officer William Hodson shot Shah's sons Mirza Moghul, Mirza Khizr Sultan, and Mirza Abu Bakr and shamefully presented their heads to the Shah.
In order to keep the Muslims in the mainstream, rose Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and launched a movement for Muslim regeneration that culminated in the founding of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875 (later renamed Aligarh Muslim University in 1921). Its objective was to educate Muslims by emphasizing the compatibility of Islam with western knowledge.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had initially joined the Congress was grossly dissatisfied with the Congress attitude towards Muslims and thus joined the Muslim League in 1913. It was with his efforts that Congress recognized the separate position of the Muslims and the Muslims' demand for a separate electorate as a part of the Lucknow Pact. However the Hindu prejudice against the Muslims could not be hidden for long and the publication of Nehru Report (1928) was a great setback to Lucknow Pact, since the Nehru Report negated all its clauses. It became evident that Congress and Hindus wanted to become the ruler of India on the basis of numerical strength and make Muslims their subjects. This was not acceptable to Muslims since they had ruled India for centuries and after British subjugation, they were again to fall under the Hindus as their subjects. Jinnah therefore refused to accept the report and presented his famous 14 Points to solve the political problems in India.
The Muslims wished that their separate identity should be recognized and provided constitutional safeguards to protect their rights. It was then that the first proponents of independent Muslim nation began to appear. Among the first of these was writer/philosopher Allama Iqbal, who felt that a separate nation for Muslims was essential in an otherwise Hindu-dominated subcontinent. The cause found a leader in Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who became known as Father of the Nation and eventually persuaded the British to partition the region into Muslim-majority Pakistan, and Hindu-majority India.
In the meantime Choudhary Rahmat Ali a ambridge student coined the word "PAKISTAN" for a would-be Muslim country, which was published on 28th January 1933 in the pamphlet "Now or Never." He made the name an acronym of the different states/homelands/regions, which broke down into:
The British Government under the new constitution held the elections in 1937, in which Congress gained majority and formed government in six large provinces. In connivance with the government, Hindus started persecuting the Muslims and Hindi was introduced instead of Urdu. The introduction of "Bande Matram", the Hindus' national anthem did the rest. Therefore, the Muslim League decided to ask for a separate homeland for themselves as by now it was clear that both Hindus and Muslims could not co-exist under one flag. In the 27th annual session on 23 March 1940 at Lahore, the Muslim League under Jinnah demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indian sub-continent. Thereafter, Muslims all over India were asked to join Muslims League to safe guard their identity. In the meantime the 2nd world War had already started and the British government wanted whole hearted Indian support, therefore the Viceroy promised that the constitution would be framed in consultation with representatives of the people after the war.
