Knowledge Under Siege: The Fight for Intellectual Freedom in Turbat University

Knowledge Under Siege: The Fight for Intellectual Freedom in Turbat University

BY

Uzair Baloch
(Information Secretary of BSAC)

Baloch Students Action Committee

Universities play a crucial role in society, shaping and creating a developed nation. They provide students with opportunities for learning and nurturing their creativity through academic and non-academic activities. A space for discussing various subjects like science, literature, politics, philosophy, history, and other fields where students can access a wide range source of knowledge. They are crucial in shaping the builders of a nation – the students. This scenario is common in other corners of the free world. However, in Balochistan, these definitions seem different or even opposite.

In the world, universities are hubs of study and research. The minds of society flourished, creating a world of knowledge and innovation. They offer opportunities for creation and an environment for criticism to improve and advance. These practices were initiated in some parts of the world two centuries ago, and today, we see them not only in power but in advanced civilizations. The universities revolutionized the world in many aspects like, literature, politics and science.

On the other side, we encounter the story of Balochistan, filled with darkness and cruelty. Balochistan faces severe cultural, political, geographical, educational, and national oppression. Universities in Balochistan are no-go areas for books, critical thinking, and political activism. Books on politics, history, literature, and other subjects are not allowed on university campuses. Libraries and bookshops were burnt down and shut down by state forces in the early years of the previous decade. A full scale crackdown seen on books in various cities of Balochistan.

The recent case is the University of Turbat, where students are not allowed to host book stalls. They have been harassed and threatened not to conduct admission camps for newcomers and to arrange political and literary events. This month, the Baloch Students Action Committee Turbat University Unit hosted a two-day book stall; they were harassed. The following week, they were threatened for conducting literary circles, and the next days they were profiled and harassed in conducting admission camps to help new incoming students.

In the past, a study circle scheduled by the Baloch Students Action Committee on September 29, 2023; the university administration issued a fake-dated notification on same day dating 25th of September with excuses not allowing study circles in university hostels. They were threatened and warned not to conduct such literary activities in hostels otherwise they will be rusticated. Likewise, a two-day book fair was being held at the university where the administration created hurdles and harassed the students, claiming that a book fair banner is not allowed on campus. They were told to face the consequences. However, the students hosted the book fair, and a large number of students came to buy books.

Another incident involved arranging an admission camp for new incoming students to help them in the admission process. Here again, students were threatened and profiled by recording video footage, asking about their names in a harassing way. Their families were approached by stating false information about the students.

Students of Makuran Medical College are not allowed in the University of Turbat, which is adjacent to the university. Recently, Professor Manzoor Baloch, head of the Brahvi Department at the University of Balochistan and a member of the senate at the University of Turbat, was stopped at the gate of the University of Turbat. He was prevented from attending a literary event held by BSAC on the topic entitled “Baloch Students and Contemporary Requirements.” Dr. Manzoor was invited as a guest speaker in the session, but the university administration didn’t let the professor, along with Makuran Medical College and other graduated students, enter the university, excusing that “outsiders” are not allowed. Dr was told to come and have a drink of tea, but professor replied in “ I haven’t come here for drinking tea with Vice Chancellor but for having literary debate with students.” Later the students along professor Manzoor Baloch returned from the gate and went to Makuran Medical College. They were not welcomed there also, then they held their lecture session in informal sessions in an open ground of MMC.

After these hurdles, the Baloch Students Action Committee decided stand and fight against this. They held protest rallies which turned into a sit-in protest at University of Turbat. They staged sit-in protest for two days demanding the intellectual freedom. After two days of protest, the university agreed of hosting political and literary events so the students can improve their learning, students along teachers and parents are allowed in campus for educational purposes and meetings and non-residents university students are allowed in hostel for particular frame of time. These along some others were the demands where the protest concluded fulfilling the demands.

The real issue may not be with the professors and students, but with those who speak against injustices and stand against any colonial mindset preventing students from change and critical thinking. These kinds of actions have been practiced for a long time. However , this is a colonial mentality had been practiced in various colonies worldwide during the colonial period. But any such power and regimes have collapsed by challenging and revolutionizing.

This is a glimpse of the harassment and unfair behavior of Turbat University, which is being practiced in more serious ways. Students are not allowed in political and literary circles; the only reason behind it is to suppress critical thinking and consciousness among students. When students learn and understand the real meaning of knowledge and education, they would not only think against a colonial mindset but resist it, making a civilized society.

Baloch society has been morally corrupted, where every person, from a school peon to a university Vice Chancellor, is morally corrupt. Our social structure has been scattered in various methods. A chain of corrupt people can be seen in every institution in Balochistan, all because of the bureaucracy. This system is generating corrupt and incompetent people, which is institutional genocide of the Baloch. The Baloch nation is facing a war where the state is committing various crimes, and people are living in fear. These crimes are being hidden in fear.

Students have the power to oppose any opressive power and bring revolution. If they are politicized, they would fight against the corrupt and oppressive system. Students have the sense and ability to challenge any such system if they are politicized. These are the reasons student politics is being suppressed to oppress the Baloch nation easily.

Baloch Students Action Committee