Restoration of Student Unions! An Inevitable Need for Future Leadership
By: Khawaja Kabir Ahmed
The ongoing movement for public rights in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir has given a new direction to the region’s political and social consciousness. Among the various points included in the Joint Awami Action Committee’s Charter of Demands, one of the most important and fundamental is the restoration of student unions — a demand representing the basic democratic right of the student community, which has been suppressed for the past forty years.
It is no secret that student unions serve as the first step in democratic training within any society. They are the platforms where young people learn the principles of politics, leadership, dialogue, and the art of constructive dissent. Unfortunately, for the past four decades, educational institutions in this region have been deprived of such a democratic environment. As a result, the political landscape here has failed to produce the kind of youthful leadership capable of representing the true aspirations and problems of the people.
In the agreement between the Joint Awami Action Committee and the government, it was promised that student unions would be restored and that elections would be held promptly. However, this promise has so far remained confined to paper. The government’s silence and delay have created frustration and hopelessness among the youth. If this situation continues, not only will the democratic process weaken further, but social unrest will also deepen.
The restoration of student unions is not merely an educational or political issue — it is a question of preparing the leadership of the future. In every democratic country in the world, student politics is regarded as the nursery where tomorrow’s national leaders are nurtured. In India, Bangladesh, and many other countries, many prominent political figures began their journeys through student politics. Tragically, in Jammu and Kashmir, this door was shut decades ago at the behest of a Pakistani dictator — a decision whose consequences are now being felt in the form of a political environment devoid of fresh ideas and youthful leadership.
It is therefore imperative that the government fulfill its promise, immediately lift the ban on student unions, and ensure fair and transparent elections. At the same time, all student organizations must unite and organize a collective struggle to reclaim this democratic right. This movement is not just for students — it is a struggle for the future of the entire society.
For a brighter tomorrow, it is essential to break down the walls of fear and complacency and allow young people the right to speak, think, and lead. If student unions are not restored today, the coming generation will forget how to question, how to lead, and how to stand up for their rights.
The restoration of student unions is not merely the fulfillment of a promise — it is the foundation of an enlightened, conscious, and democratic future. It is now the shared responsibility of the government, political parties, and students themselves to ensure the success of this struggle so that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are not deprived of their right to leadership.
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