Faryal Rashid
Progressive Students Federation Islamabad-Rawalpindi organized a candle light vigil marking the death anniversary of Mashal Khan on Wednesday outside Islamabad Press club. Mashal Khan a student of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University was brutally lynched by a mob after being falsely accused of blasphemy.
Speaking on the occasion, PrSF Isb-Rwp’s deputy information secretary Mustafa T. Wynne highlighted the ever-present threat to life that stems from religious intolerance within universities. He pinpointed that our curriculum and educational institutions build upon existing cultural and religious biases that further the message of hate.
Shah Rukn e Alam, PrSF Isb-Rwp’s education secretary spoke about the institutionalization of hatred through our curriculum. He further talked about how it’s largely ignored that Mashal was a left-leaning political activist. Left-wing political workers have been increasingly targeted since Zia’s dictatorship in the 80’s. The lack of debate culture within universities has been declining ever since and this contributes to the lack of tolerance for opposing views.
In his speech, Israr Gharsheen, PrSF Isb-Rwp’s deputy general secretary, emphasized that students are targeted by university administrations even if they raise genuine issues. Mashal Khan had also spoken against the administration of Abdul Wali Khan University for financial corruption, lack of critical thinking within institutions and fee hikes. After the ban on unions, students are now devoid of a democratic platform that used to help them voice their concerns. This ban was levelled in 1984 and has continued ever since.
Alia Amirali from Awami Workers Party and former general secretary of National Students Federation stressed on the need to push for safer campuses. The Pakistani youth has been forcefully kept away from participating in politics to maintain the current power hegemony. Khushbakht Sohail from Women Democratic Front talked about the need for structural changes that prevent tragedies of this nature from happening in the future. The event was also largely attended by human rights activists and members of the civil society in addition to political workers from Awami Workers Party.
Ammar Rashid from Awami Workers Party sang “Zulm Rahay aur Aman Bhee Ho”. Khanzada Asfandyar Khattak, a classical dancer and teacher performed to this song at Mashal Khan’s vigil outside Press Club Islamabad.
