KATHMANDU, March 23: Students’ unions take up our problems, our discomfort and they strive to make life better for students and the public alike. But our country’s most effective way of doing that seems to be declaring ‘banda”-s and strikes, and every time we hear one called on by one students’ union or the other or by political parties, we crease our faces and resignation fills our souls. [break]
Republica sat down with a few student leaders and members of students’ unions to understand how effective the unions think strikes are and why some important causes are seemingly not important enough for strikes to be declared by them.
Lekhnath Pokhrel, Central Committee Member of Nepal Student Union; Nabina Lama, Vice President, and Radhika Khatiwada, Central Committee Member of All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU); Sarad Rasaili, President of All Nepal National Free Students Union Revolutionary (ANNFSU-R) and Ramesh Malla, Vice Chairman of All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) share their views and debate the state of student unions in the country.
In this combo photo, from left to right, Lekhnath Pokhrel, Nabina Lama, Ramesh Malla and Radhika Khatiwada. (Photo: Bijay Gajmer/ Republica)
What are the reasons that student unions cite for calling on strikes?
Lekhnath: Strikes happen because the government doesn’t look at our best interests. When we approach them for discourse, they’re never agreeable. It’s not in the student mindset to create a ruckus. However, the apathetic government compels us to fight for our rights. If we don’t take to the streets, we don’t get any response.
Sarad: Students don’t protest or fight out of fun or a sense of enjoyment. It’s a responsibility given to us by history. Students’ protests are the biggest contribution to the country’s positive changes. This is true not only for Nepal, but for the rest of the world, too. The age factor is a huge advantage for the students. There’s energy, vigor and enthusiasm on their sides. Also, if there’s a threat to the country, the army will protect us, if there are criminal activities, then it’ll be looked after by the police. But who will step up when a citizen’s democratic rights are being threatened? “Yuwaharu hatiyarbinako sena ho.”
Nabina: We’re like a pressure group. When we look at the problems related to students or even women, it all points to the politics in our country. Once it’s fine, I think we’ll be fine, too. We wouldn’t have to fight for our rights. What we’re doing is presenting the voice of all youth.
Do you think that student unions are only taking up populist causes?
Sarad: I don’t agree with that. The government needs to ensure that there is peace, employment and stability in the lives of the citizens. But it’s corrupt and is totally dependent on commissions. For instance, there was no need for the price hike in public transport. But since a government is stepping down, it wants to get something and they know that with the SLC Board Examinations going on, it’s not the right time for the student unions to strike.
Lekhnath: I don’t believe we have any populist agenda. We’re there to protest against every kind of injustice, and not only ones that will easily fire up people. If we don’t speak up, then no one will. Students have been at the forefront of every change in the country. Public issues are taken up only by students.
Tribhuvan University (TU) has a host of problems. What’s being done to address them?
Ramesh: Our union has always been the one with the loudest voice concerning proper functioning academic calendar for TU. We even made a draft of an academic calendar that TU could use later but the university hasn’t done anything with it. Ultimately, it’s up to them to do something. They should initiate to provide quality education to students, take regular classes, and make sure that the examinations are held on time and that results are promptly published. If TU can start changing a few things, then we’re all ready to help out. But the university hasn’t been able to take its educational program forward according to the times and the needs of the day. As student unions have made much contribution to the changing political scenario, TU hasn’t been equally inclined to the educational needs of the country. I’m afraid Nepal’s educational future looks very dark if changes aren’t brought about immediately.
How can you change the current scenario of the unions?
Radhika: A student union is an organization that will speak out against any injustice. However, these days our protests have been less focused on education and societal rights. The strikes have become more and more politically inclined. I agree that our country isn’t good at listening to the demands of the common people. Our protests should be focused on developing the country, improving our society and not be influenced by politics.
Ramesh: It’s time we confronted the fact that maybe the youth is being misused instead of being utilized properly. To minimize or control the violence that occurs during strikes, we should start being more responsible. Instead of cursing the leaders of today, we should think about how we’re turning out. We’re the future and it’s in our hands to develop the country. And that’s the way we should align our thoughts, our ideas and plans. Generate ideas that will change our future. While the political scenario has affected us, I think we’re also lagging behind in being responsible and initiating changes.
Nabina: We can start by being more united. That’s one of the biggest challenges we have. We’re politically influenced. When a union wants to protest against something, then it faces opposition from another union. I think we need unity and commitment to fight for a common cause that will benefit everyone.
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