No formal restriction on student unions at Kashmir University; only 15-year-old verbal directive
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: A recent RTI response has confirmed that student politics, associations, and unions have not been officially banned in Jammu and Kashmir.
This revelation contradicts widespread misconceptions about restrictions on student activism in the region. Officials from the Higher Education Department stated that no official communication or government order exists imposing such a ban.
The RTI was filed by Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, who requested a copy of any official order banning student unions and political activity in universities across Jammu and Kashmir. In response, officials clarified that no such circular or directive has ever been issued, reaffirming that the government has not imposed any restrictions on student politics.
Multiple universities in the region, including the University of Jammu, Central University of Jammu, Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar Jammu, Central University of Kashmir, and the Islamic University of Science and Technology, responded to the RTI stating that no official ban has been placed on student unions. These institutions confirmed that they have not issued any orders restricting the formation of student associations, nor has the government mandated such restrictions.
The response from Kashmir University, however, presented a different perspective. The university stated that while no formal order has been issued banning student unions, a verbal directive was given in 2009 by the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, prohibiting student unions. This decision was never formalized in writing, nor was it backed by any official government directive. The university maintained that it has a grievance redressal system in place, negating the need for student unions.
Despite these claims, the RTI responses from other universities indicate that student unions are considered an integral part of academic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. The responses highlight that student representation is a common feature in universities across the country, reinforcing the argument that transparency and student participation are not mutually exclusive.
The RTI findings suggest that Kashmir University’s position on student unions is based on an outdated verbal directive rather than any official policy. This raises concerns about the necessity of formal student representation in addressing university affairs and ensuring accountability.
Reacting to this, Khuehami said that the university can gaslight with the “proper grievance cell” reply, but not anyone who is privy to Kashmir University’s defunct system—especially a student who is a daily sufferer. “Which Kashmir University student doesn’t know that when a student speaks about university issues, he is summoned by the Chief Proctor the next day? They fear the University Chief Proctor more than the people of North Korea fear Kim Jong Un. Students say he is anything but an academician.”
