Classrooms to battlegrounds | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Recent violent clashes at the University of Karachi reflect a systemic issue where political youth wings function as power-seeking gangs.
- This campus violence has a long history, dating back to the 1970s, with armed student groups replacing constructive engagement.
- The 1984 ban on student unions failed to curb violence and instead contributed to extremism by removing legitimate youth forums.
- The current environment features students with alarmingly low tolerance, where minor incidents can escalate into brawls.
- The article calls for political parties to dismantle these violent structures and replace them with genuine, democratic student unions.
Recent violent clashes at the University of Karachi, reportedly sparked by minor altercations like 'aggressive staring,' serve as a stark indicator of the deep sickness fostered by political parties structuring their youth wings as power-seeking gangs rather than leadership incubators. This violence continues a dark history dating back to the 1970s when armed student groups, such as the infamous 'Thunder Squad' of the IJT, transformed campuses into battlegrounds. Political parties have failed in their duty to teach the next generation debate and compromise, instead conditioning them to believe power stems from force, symbolized by guns replacing sports equipment. Furthermore, the 1984 ban on student unions by General Ziaul Haq proved counterproductive, stripping away noble endeavors and allowing extremism to flourish, leading to today's low-tolerance environment where minor eye contact can trigger a brawl. The youth wings have largely devolved into militant groups enjoying impunity, divorced from political ideals. For a peaceful future, Pakistan must compel political parties to dismantle these violent structures and reinstate genuine, democratic student unions.
