Road to Democracy: Political debate banned in colleges
And just when I think that our self-appointed pseudo-messiah can’t go any bonkers than he already has, he actually ends up proving me wrong – that too, by a mile! “I’m no dictator” is what he told BBC in an interview a few days back – who is he kidding?!? Every single order/amendment he has passed has been absolutely against the spirit of democracy and yet he claims to be a Champion of Democracy – talk about sordid egos!
It seems a new bad news is lined up for us everyday – what did we get yesterday? A ban on political debate in our colleges and universities! Why? Because students have been in the news a lot recently for the peaceful protests that they’ve been organizing against the martial law.
This is what appeared in Dawn yesterday:
The federal government on Tuesday imposed a ban on open debate on media curbs, suspension of judges and emergency in all colleges and universities in the country.
Well-placed sources said students of various universities and colleges in Islamabad, had been strongly protesting against emergency rule, curbs on the media and suspension of judges, for the last few days to express solidarity with the electronic media.
Taking notice of the situation, the federal government has banned debate in all colleges and universities and warned of strict action against violators.
Students, civil society activists and others have been continuously protesting against the imposition of emergency for the last 12 days.
Fourteen Teachers in Punjab University have been charged with sedition and the administration of FAST-NU has been threatened by Military Intelligence (MI) with closure, if they don’t stop the protests from taking place:
Military Intelligence has threatened the director of FAST, one of the country’s premier educational institutions, with closure of the university if students are not barred from holding protests, rallies or distributing anti-government pamphlets or blogging. An alumnus of the institution, an active member of the protest movement, on condition of anonymity said that their phones were being tapped, their activities monitored and they were on the ‘Red Line’. – The Emergency Times – Vol: 16
I wonder what’s next? Banning political debates in homes (or even dreams, the way he’s going).
The extent of insecurity and paranoia which dictators exhibit in the twilight of their stay is a telling indicator of how desperate a situation stares them in the face. And our exceptionally sticky, shameless, commando-general, cum-president and chief-law-giver, in this respect, seems to be no exception. All this lunacy is being done in spite of receiving accolades, from that great Texan standard-bearer of democracy and freedom , to the effect that no one else has done more for the cause of democracy in Pakistan than our great soon-to-be-disrobed (with respect to uniform only, mercifully) “President General”. Imagine the gall of these two “tight” buddies!
very well said, Bilal.
Its unbelievable, Mushy is acting like a true madman, all his actions are like that of a suppressor and an oppressor, yet he is childishly insisting that he is the sole champion of democracy in this country, does he think people are buying that?? And American government, which represent the country thought to be the torch bearer of freedom, enlightenment and democracy, is actually buying this. This is an obvious hypocrisy on their part. As another example of their double standard, a couple of months back in a presidential debate, Hillary Clinton and Obama obviously taking part, were asked if they found out the location Usama bin Laden in Pakistan and in his vicinity there were civilians, would they call for a strike even if civilians are killed, all of the candidates raised there hands in affirmation. I mentioned Hillary and Obama, because many of Muslims support them. What I would like to ask these hypocrites (candidates), what if he (UBL) was found in their own country and american lives were under cross-fire, just think for a second, would have these president wanna-bees raised their hands?? not if they wanted to get elected. Yet the voices of genuine liberals and free-thinkers are being cut-off. The situation , Alas, seems very grim.
This does not astonish me. What is outragous is the declaration by Bush that Musharraf has done more in this world for demoracy than anybody else. But perhaps even that is not, considering the history of US foriegn policy.
I do agree, this in-effectual students lack of movement did not deserved any such attention. However, a misguideed patriot missile is far more dangerous than an incoming Scud.
After a a very long time students in our universities were doing what they are supposed to do that is study and take this country forward. Those who refuse to learn lessons from history should recall the needless sacrifices by the students in the past, all were betrayed and taken advantage of by the politicians and what we got was detorriation of the institutions, nothing else. It is very difficult to build but very easy to destroy and It is very easy to say all the right stuff but very difficult to do the right thing. Say whatever you want, but if you remove Mush from the equation now then this country would be like a rabbit being torn apart by wolves.
There is a grand plan. Forget climate change! Todays issue is the plan to establish continuous religious war. The war machine requires an enemy. The US nolonger has the communnists. The National security council (AKA federation of arms dealers and warmoungers) have selected Islam as the new enemy. This must not be allowed to go ahead. It would rip the world apart as shurely as neuclear war. Please pass this on. Watch your backs.
Just saw this blog from FAST , FAST RISING
http://fastrising.blogspot.com/