Student Leaders Denounce Government Move to Ban Campus Organizations as Unconstitutional

Kathmandu. Student leaders have declared that the government's attempt to impose a ban on student organizations within universities is a direct violation of the constitution. During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, they accused the government of increasingly pursuing an unconstitutional path.

They alleged that by banning student organizations, the government is adopting a path of authoritarianism, aimed at silencing the voice of the people.

Mahesh Shrestha, a leader of the All Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary), stated that the attempt to ban student organizations contradicts the core spirit of the democratic republic. He accused the government of ignoring the historical role played by student organizations in establishing the democratic republic and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the ban.

Highlighting that student organizations have always been at the forefront of fighting against distortions, inconsistencies, and injustices in the education sector, he argued that efforts are being made to defame entire organizations based on isolated incidents. He alleged that the government, influenced by foreign interests and NGOs/INGOs, has begun attacking the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people.

According to him, the ban on student organizations is a direct assault on the rights of the Nepali people to hold ideological, political, and organizational freedom. He demanded that the government should instead dissolve NGOs and INGOs.

Shrestha said, 'Politically conscious student organizations, which played a crucial role in achieving the democratic republic, are now facing a ban. These organizations have historically played a vital role in resolving the various distortions, inconsistencies, and injustices in the education sector. Now, there is talk of banning them. By highlighting a few isolated incidents to defame the historical legacy of student organizations, forces driven by NGOs, INGOs, and foreign interference are attempting to curtail the fundamental rights of the people.'

He stated that the issue of dissolving student organizations is an attack on the rights of the Nepali people to be ideologically, politically, and organizationally active. 'Now, people with different political beliefs will gradually be targeted. Banning student organizations might seem enjoyable for a moment, but it is leading the country toward a major disaster in the long run,' he added. 'Student organizations will always be on the streets for the rights of the people. Student organizations are always the opposition to the government. If anyone dreams of crushing their historical values and throwing them into the dustbin based on minor flaws, that will remain just a dream. Student organizations will reject this.'

Similarly, All Nepal National Free Students Union Secretary Shamimbabu Khan recalled the historical background of the student movement, noting that students have been continuously struggling for national and civil rights since the 2004 Jayatu Sanskritam movement. Targeting Prime Minister Balendra Shah, he stated that student organizations were not obtained through grants or awards but are the result of a long struggle.

He remarked that the attempt to ban student organizations is a repetition of the Rana-era mindset. He questioned Prime Minister Shah, asking if he is trying to bring back the Rana regime to Nepal. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the undemocratic, unconstitutional, and immature decision to ban student organizations.

Khan said, 'I want to tell the Prime Minister—student organizations were not given to us by anyone as a grant or award. These are organizations established since the 2004 Jayatu Sanskritam movement, continuously fighting for student welfare and raising voices for the nation and nationality. Are you trying to restart the Rana era? If you try to ban student organizations and the student movement, we will not sit silently.'

Khan stated that the decision to restrict student freedom and voices is undemocratic, immature, unconstitutional, and apolitical. 'This decision must be corrected immediately; it must be withdrawn. The right to organize based on ideology was not given to us by any individual; this right was given by our constitution. You have succeeded in forming a government by relying on that same constitution,' he said. 'I don't know where you were when the constitution was being written, but student organizations were pressuring the then-political parties, the government, and lawmakers to ensure the constitution was drafted. It was that pressure that led to the creation of a constitution with rights, and relying on that, you have become Prime Minister today. Do not forget that the constitution has given us rights; it was not given by any individual.'

All Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary) President Birendra Shah claimed that the ban on student organizations is not limited to students alone. He asserted that such a decision aims to suppress the voices of workers, farmers, and the oppressed classes. He stated that the current government is driven by a mentality that cannot tolerate criticism, which is why it has moved to ban student organizations. He believes the ban should be viewed as a restriction on the voices of all Nepali people.

Shah said, 'The ban that the Balendra government is trying to impose on student organizations is not just on student organizations. It is a ban on the voices of Nepal's workers, farmers, and oppressed Nepali people. The government wants no voice raised against it and does not want to be criticized. Therefore, this is not just a ban on student organizations; it is an attempt to restrict the rights of the Nepali people, the farmers, and the workers here.'

Student leaders have warned that they will take to the streets if the government does not immediately withdraw the decision. They asserted that they will not allow the freedom of association guaranteed by the constitution to be snatched away under any circumstances. The government has decided to dissolve student organizations of political parties and the Free Student Union in universities and institutions. Student organizations have united against this decision. (News Agency Nepal)