The government is going to provide security to remove the structures of student organizations affiliated with political parties from universities, campuses and other educational institutions.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel had summoned the vice-chancellors of universities to the ministry and instructed them to remove the student organizations. The decision of the meeting chaired by University Grants Commission Chairman Devraj Adhikari on 20 Chaitra, attended by Minister Pokharel and the vice-chancellors, has been made public.

The decision states that if any security challenge is seen in the process of removing the party student organizations, security arrangements will be made through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision states that a temporary/permanent security unit can be arranged on the university premises. A participating vice-chancellor said that a discussion was held on the issue of requesting the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Ministry of Education for the establishment of the unit and a decision was made accordingly.

Point number 86 of the agenda on governance reforms approved by the government mentions that the structures of party student organizations will be removed from the university premises within 60 days. It is stated that a student council or voice of student mechanism will be developed within 90 days. The meeting had decided to extinguish the activities of various student organizations established in the university.

‘The university will not provide rooms, buildings, and land for student organizations to set up offices. Physical signs of student organizations, including banners and wall writings, will be removed immediately,’ the decision states.

Student organizations have opposed the government’s decision. Student organizations, in turn, have protested the government’s decision and announced a movement against it. 14 student organizations affiliated with various political parties have commented that the government’s decision to remove student organization structures from schools and universities is undemocratic. Student organizations affiliated with political parties including the Nepali Congress, UML, and NCP have issued a joint statement demanding the government’s decision to be revoked.

It is mentioned that if there is a legal provision in the university’s act regarding party student organizations, it will be revoked. For that, it has been said that the act will be submitted to the Ministry of Education to amend it. ‘If there is such a provision in the university’s regulations, bylaws, etc., it will be amended by the university’s executive council, assembly, or related body within 60 days,’ the decision states.

It has been decided to amend the law to provide for a student council or voice of students instead of the independent student union in the university. The vice-chancellor said that it has been decided to have a council as a mechanism to work for the rights of students. The vice-chancellors of 13 universities, including Tribhuvan University, participated in the meeting.

Nevisangh spokesperson Suraj Sejuwal said that the government is taking unnecessary steps to remove the student organization on a whim. ‘Student organization is a movement. It does not have an office in the campus or university. There are 16/17 student organizations in existence. There is no question of taking land or rooms. Where will they remove it from?’ he asked, adding, ‘A law should be brought to remove our banners and boards. Students put up banner boards all the time. When can they remove them? We are in a movement against the government’s decision.’

He accused the government of not doing its duty in educational reforms and doing unnecessary work. ‘How can they go to the council without consulting the students? What did the independent student union do wrong? We need an answer why it should be abolished. The vice-chancellors have also signed the agitation as per the government's order. All these activities are foolish and ridiculous,' said Sejuwal.

ANRFSU President Deepak Dhami said that the government has invited conflict and clashes by trying to impose a ban on students by deploying police. 'We were asking the government to reverse the decision by agitating constructively. The government has invited conflict and clashes by saying that it will deploy police on campus. We will fight against the government and protect the student organization.'

Dhami alleged that the government's decision was immature and biased. 'It is trying to attack the constitution and the right to freedom. Student organizations are a matter of opinion. There is no restriction on opinions by decree. We come to the streets with pens and paper,' he said.

TU Vice-Chancellor Deepak Aryal said that the issue of removing the student organization is not only a university issue, but also a political issue. 'We went to the ministry for discussions. But there are also issues that were not discussed in the decision. Dismantling the student union is a matter of political decision rather than using force. It is better to move forward through dialogue with political parties,' he said.

He said that the university's act itself should be changed to eliminate the independent student union. 'It is true that the student union has caused trouble. But how to end it should be decided through political discussions. The student union should also reconsider its role,' said Vice Chancellor Aryal.

The joint student union held a discussion with former student leaders and parliamentarians at Nepal Law Campus on Sunday in protest against the decision to dissolve the student union. 'The right to join an organization based on opinions is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. Restricting anyone's opinions is against democratic values ​​and is also inconsistent with international human rights standards.'