Unions can mark the beginning of a new social renaissance
Recently it has been observed in the sub-continent that their most
prized possession or much touted about demographic dividend are actually adopting a wrong path. Students (a big part of this demographic dividend) are considered as one of the most important agents of change. In numerous incidences, these students and students' unions have helped in toppling governments and bringing about positive changes. For example, Nepal’s restoration of democracy in 2006. But lately, in most parts of these third world countries, students' unions seem to have adopted the path of violence, crime and power-politics.
Some of the universities are heavily affected by criminal activities and there are times when dangerous arms and ammunitions reach the students. Hence, many nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh (in some parts of India) have started banning these unions. Take for instance India, where recently a group of students from a powerful union killed a professor and finally were left unpunished due to lack of evidence (again due to power-politics, as no one dared to testify against them). Likewise in Pakistan, student unions are banned (since late 1980s) as most of them are more like gangsters and rogues, instead of noble students working for the welfare and grooming of the fellow students. Unions like National Students Federation (NSF), Muslim Students Federation (MSF), Peoples Students Federation (PSF), All Pakistan Mohajir Students Federation (APMSO) and others are more involved in blood activity and nasty disputes. Last year, students' union literally burnt Bangladesh as they caused violence in University of Dhaka, thus killing nearly 300 people and leading to a long period of curfew. But then, it doesn’t mean that these unions were always bad. Be it Education Not for Sale (ENS) campaign in the UK, student movement for free Tibet, Tuition Reform Action Coalition in New York University, Kyoto Now! a student-led movement… the list seems endless.
Instead of entering politics and protesting for petty issues and power gaining exercise, it would be very fruitful if the same group of influential people stood for a change and entered politics – of course, for a positive change. Students should rather exploit these unions as an avenue to participate in elections, represent fellow students’ concerns, negotiate with the concerned authorities for the greater good and motivate students in contemporary civic and political life. This will eventually inculcate democratic practices amongst students, some of whom are likely to be statesmen and leaders of tomorrow. Students’ union also can act as a platform for the youth to demand better educational services from the universities and prepare vibrant denizens for democratic practices.
It is the youth that can bring peace in the subcontinent and also unite them- socially, culturally, politically (if not geographically) - and bring about a new social renaissance. And the most important point is that this uprising should not be for anyone else but for students themselves. As this will not only create a better world for others but also for themselves. After all, the oxford dictionary defines students union as ‘a building on a college campus dedicated to social and organisational activities of the student body.’
Recently it has been observed in the sub-continent that their most
prized possession or much touted about demographic dividend are actually adopting a wrong path. Students (a big part of this demographic dividend) are considered as one of the most important agents of change. In numerous incidences, these students and students' unions have helped in toppling governments and bringing about positive changes. For example, Nepal’s restoration of democracy in 2006. But lately, in most parts of these third world countries, students' unions seem to have adopted the path of violence, crime and power-politics.Some of the universities are heavily affected by criminal activities and there are times when dangerous arms and ammunitions reach the students. Hence, many nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh (in some parts of India) have started banning these unions. Take for instance India, where recently a group of students from a powerful union killed a professor and finally were left unpunished due to lack of evidence (again due to power-politics, as no one dared to testify against them). Likewise in Pakistan, student unions are banned (since late 1980s) as most of them are more like gangsters and rogues, instead of noble students working for the welfare and grooming of the fellow students. Unions like National Students Federation (NSF), Muslim Students Federation (MSF), Peoples Students Federation (PSF), All Pakistan Mohajir Students Federation (APMSO) and others are more involved in blood activity and nasty disputes. Last year, students' union literally burnt Bangladesh as they caused violence in University of Dhaka, thus killing nearly 300 people and leading to a long period of curfew. But then, it doesn’t mean that these unions were always bad. Be it Education Not for Sale (ENS) campaign in the UK, student movement for free Tibet, Tuition Reform Action Coalition in New York University, Kyoto Now! a student-led movement… the list seems endless.
Instead of entering politics and protesting for petty issues and power gaining exercise, it would be very fruitful if the same group of influential people stood for a change and entered politics – of course, for a positive change. Students should rather exploit these unions as an avenue to participate in elections, represent fellow students’ concerns, negotiate with the concerned authorities for the greater good and motivate students in contemporary civic and political life. This will eventually inculcate democratic practices amongst students, some of whom are likely to be statesmen and leaders of tomorrow. Students’ union also can act as a platform for the youth to demand better educational services from the universities and prepare vibrant denizens for democratic practices.
It is the youth that can bring peace in the subcontinent and also unite them- socially, culturally, politically (if not geographically) - and bring about a new social renaissance. And the most important point is that this uprising should not be for anyone else but for students themselves. As this will not only create a better world for others but also for themselves. After all, the oxford dictionary defines students union as ‘a building on a college campus dedicated to social and organisational activities of the student body.’
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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