CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali criticizes move to ban student unions in universities

Kathmandu. CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali has termed the proposal to ban student unions from universities as highly undemocratic. Gyawali expressed this reaction via social media after the government prepared to abolish student organizations in universities. 

Gyawali stated that establishing security units in universities for the purpose of banning student organizations is an interference with academic autonomy. 

 According to Gyawali, the decision to ban student organizations is an encroachment upon the autonomy of the universities.  

Gyawali questioned how the Vice-Chancellors could have signed off on this, noting that even during the Panchayat era, the government did not dare to ban student organizations. 'How could the Vice-Chancellors of the universities sign such a document, a move that even the Panchayat autocracy did not dare to make?'

 He argued that while there are some issues within the student movement and they may have strayed from their core agenda, banning the organizations is not the solution when they should be catalysts for improving educational quality. 

'Banning student organizations is not the solution to the problem. The solution lies in dialogue, constructive cooperation, and the transformation of the student movement for quality education,' Gyawali wrote. 'Would you cut off your head just because you have dandruff?'