Following the publishing in the Urdu press of an article called ‘Tragedy of Punjab University’ written by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed, a debate has started over the attitude of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) in Punjab University.People are debating whether the article is a warning to the IJT by Qazi or a ‘face saving’ attempt by him to improve his party’s image. The IJT is JI’s students wing.
The article, which was printed on Tuesday, discloses that the IJT had pre-planned the manhandling and detaining of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in Punjab University on November 14.
The article reveals how Imran contacted JI bigwigs to appear on campus and discuss with students the emergency and call for the restoration of democracy. The article states that the JI and IJT disallowed Imran to go it alone, as the university is JI and IJT turf, and urged him to have a joint show with the IJT led by JI Punjab chief Liaqat Baloch.
The article reveals the emotional attachment Qazi has with the IJT and states that the IJTÂ’s violent attitude has become a source of disgrace for it, as it gives the media fodder to defame JIÂ’s student wing.
The article also states the complaints of several elements within the IJT about violence being perpetrated by the IJT on campus. Qazi urges the IJT not to be violent and not to force its strategy and ideology on campuses and advises it to apologise to Imran and to refrain from such acts in the future.
PU sources told Daily Times on Tuesday that the article had sparked widespread debate on and off campus over whether the IJT would follow QaziÂ’s advice or not.
Some circles believe that the article was a face saving attempt by Qazi, as it did not mention the action taken by the JI over the IJTÂ’s violations and hooliganism. They assumed that it looked as if some elements within the IJT were not in the control of JI bigwigs.
Others believe that Qazi truly meant what he wrote. They believe that the JI chief wants the IJT end its hooliganism and let students decide whether to join or not to join the IJT.
Punjab University Academic Staff Association ({PUASA) president Prof Mumtaz Ahmad Salik, who is also affiliated to the JI, said he would not comment on QaziÂ’s article, as it was a personal point of view.
“I am not aware of the story behind the Imran Khan episode,” he said, adding, “However, we believe that students should stay in their limits and respect their elders.”
He said there should also be respect for democratic standards. He said such a message promoted tolerance, accommodation and democratic norms on campus with equal opportunity for all students. He said students must focus on their studies and curricular activities.
Prof Dr Iftikhar Hussain Baloch, who has been confronting JI/IJT policies and ideology on campus, said a significant number of PU students and teachers believed that this could be a face saving attempt by the JI.
He said, “It is believed that the IJT considers themselves the real force of the JI and if there is a problem, the JI should take action against its student wing. This, however, has not been seen.”
He said people knew that JI bigwigs had been approaching the PU administration to restore expelled IJT students. “If the JI really wants to improve its image, it should not take part in such activity,” he added.
PU Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said the advice from the senior politician and leader was positive and must be taken accordingly. “It gives the IJT a new policy to follow,” he said. “It is also clear that nobody on campus is above the law.”
PU IJT nazim Attiqur Rehman, who replaced Muhammad Ayub after the Imran episode, said Qazi wrote the article as advice to the IJT. He denied the presence of violent elements in the IJT, saying, “We live in the hearts of the students. There are bigger examples of violence by the state. The real issue here is lifting the ban on student unions to allow students to act freely and democratically. Till the ban is not lifted students will take part in violence.”
He alleged that certain elements were trying to break the unity between PU teachers and students and the IJT with the aim to allow the regime to enforce “anti-people policies like such as the Model University Ordinance”.
However, the IJT would not allow anyone to break the student-teacher alliance, he added.