Uniform in University: tampering with Justice
By Pashmina Khan
The so-called Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Balochistan, is a puppet whose threads are pulled by his Godfather from somewhere else, He cannot snatch the right of freedom of expression from students. While making it essential to wear uniform in university, seems to strip away the freedom from the students. On one hand such unwise and ill-advised steps like forcing university students to wear uniforms make it a laughing stock; on the other hand, it is tantamount to undermine the freedom of expression. Students at the university level are open to wearing what they deem fit which expresses their unique personality within certain prescribed codes for clothing. which usually limits to the appropriateness and acceptable in the given society.
A present that is essential is to address the harassment case that created a shock wave in society, rather than forcing university students to wear a uniform, which is extremely nonsensical. It is the sole responsibility of the administration of the University to tackle the grievous concerns regarding harassment case. On the contrary, it appears that the administration and some hidden hands are imbued trying to vindicate the culprits of this case.
One needs to understand the socio-cultural set up of Balochistan. The victims of the harassment case are those students who come from poor backgrounds. Their poor parents send them to university hoping that this institution will change their lot. But showing no response from the administration and concern committee is equate to risk the future of these poor masses because parents will not be able to send their daughters back into the university. In fact, it will bring severe repercussions on society. Parents send their children to the universities carrying dreams and plans for their safe and successful future. They trust the university and the administration, their management and teaching staff with hope in the government to provide their children with a supportive environment in perusing their dreams. But the worst scenario is that the teaching staff is equally involved in harassing the students. The teachers have been seen forcing or compelling students to have wrong relations with them in promising them good grades, in case the student, has shown any resistance, she would threaten to get her to fail in the exam. Even the concerned authorities who are liable to ensure the safety of the student in the hostel equally is involved in the blackmailing of students. Such tactics will cause a huge drop out of the university.
Teacher those who are considered as spiritual parents and they could have developed trust relationship with the students, could have helped students fight against the injustice at the universities and could have played a vital role in compelling the management of the universities to work according to the constitution and culture. Instead, they are accomplices and culprits of this mishap.
University administration, while playing the card of making uniforms obligatory in university, in fact, is trying to shelter all those culprits who have been involved in the harassment case. Surely it is a well-planned attempt to deny justice to the victims. The reality is that this time, students need justice, not the uniforms.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.