PU Students Come Together To Show Solidarity With Baloch Victims Of IJT Attack
Some students were injured as they were attacked by members of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) in the Punjab University in Lahore on Wednesday.
According to media reports, the incident occurred while a conference on Kashmir was underway. The Baloch Council Chairperson Amir Baloch was abused by members of IJT following which a fight started and Amir Baloch and his fellows were attacked by about 24 IJT members.
A user who shared the video of the fight on Twitter said that the brutality of the IJT showed that secular Baloch students were not acceptable in any institutions.
This is the purest form of hatred I've ever felt. Baloch students were beaten by the goons of Jamiat Talba (IJT) at Punjab university in Lahore. It means the secular Baloch youth is not acceptable in any institutions. Hundreds of Baloch students are already kept behind the bars. pic.twitter.com/s7Mw12VbqC
— Shahzad Baloch (@ShahzadBaloch_) September 25, 2019
The incident was criticised on social media, with many raising the question of whether anyone could put a stop to the thuggery of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba.
A social media user took to Twitter to lament how peaceful students were being tortured by ‘Jamiat goons’.
Baloch students are again beaten by Jamiat goons in Punjab University Lahore. Peaceful Baloch students left their homes to get professional degrees but they are being discriminating and tortured by university admin sponsored Mullah's.#PU pic.twitter.com/HJWvQGIMO8
— Asif Baloch (@Asif_Baloch8) September 24, 2019
On Thursday, heartening scenes were witnessed as students of Punjab University came together to protest the IJT attack on Baloch students.
Academic Ammar Ali Jan took to Twitter to report the protests and said that such scenes were a glimpse of a democratic Pakistan.
Beautiful scenes at Punjab university right now. Punjabi, Pashtun, Seraiki, Gilgiti students come out in huge numbers to protest Jamiat attack on Baloch students.
Such scenes of courage and unity offer a glimpse of a more inclusive and democratic Pakistan. #NoFear #StudentPower pic.twitter.com/BHprREE61S
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) September 26, 2019
The protests against the Jamiat’s brutality showed that their cruel aspirations are not shared by the majority of the students who want an inclusive and peaceful culture in the university. Moreover, the fact that students from various ethnic groups came together to stand behind the Baloch students is an indication of inclusivity and acceptance, a trait not found among the IJT.
The IJT is famous for its aggression on university campuses across Pakistan. Especially in Punjab University, where the group exists in large numbers, the group frequently attacks people who don’t share their ideology. IJT has attacked girls and boys for sitting together, teachers who don’t share their views, and members of the Baloch and Pashtun ethnic groups.
In 2017, 10 students were injured after a clash between IJT and Pashtun students during a cultural event for the latter.
People have frequently called for a ban on the IJT. Many have criticised the group being given space in universities to carry out their activities.
Academic Nida Kirmani took to Twitter to express that the IJT has been given too much space at the expense of other student organisations.
Support Baloch and Pashtun student councils at PU in their non-violent mood protest against the harassment and abuse by members of the Jamiat Talaba. The IJT has been given too much space on our public university campuses for far too long at the expense of other student orgs. pic.twitter.com/WqMmfuCqmC
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) September 26, 2019
Observers have opined that it is time for the government to clamp down on student groups who spread hatred and engage in violence on universities under the garb of student activism.
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