The real battle is for the PU VC seat

The sectarian clash between Imamia Students Organization (ISO) activists and Islami Jamiat Taliba (IJT) activists at the Punjab University (PU) campus on Thursday was a planed conspiracy of pro-Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and pro-IJT teachers to grab the Punjab University Vice Chancellor (VC) slot to be vacant on January 2 2012, Pakistan Today learnt.
The clash has raised the alarm bells amongst quarters concerned, including the Punjab Chief Minister, on whether to appease the IJT and JI who hold the PU under their terror or opt for the benefit of PU’s 30,000 students when choosing the new vice chancellor.
Earlier on, in 2007, when the seat of VC was up for grabs, pro-JI faculty instigated sectarian clashes between ISO and IJT but failed to fulfill their aim. The same episode has been re-run 10-days before the tenure of the current PU VC is set to expire.
PU sources said pro-JI faculty wishes to put the cap on its hegemony at PU by securing the VC slot for National Textile University’s (NTU) VC Dr Niaz Ahmad. Sources said Dr Niaz was present at PU when the clash between ISO and IJT broke out.
While the clash at PU played out between Shia students and IJT activists on whether or not to hold a session in memory of Imam Hussain (ra), the true purpose of the clash was to hold the Punjab government and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif hostage over the appointment of the new PU VC.
The PU operates as the student headquarters of the JI, dominated by the IJT, despite the complete ban on student unions across the country. In addition to which, 70 percent of PU faculty and administrative officials are linked to the JI.
A repeat of 2007: Sources said the group that had instigated clashes in 2007 when former PU VC Lt Gen (r) Dr Arshad Mahmood completed his tenure, was behind today’s clash. Sources said the group had begun to raise the sectarian card, asking ‘how can Shia be allowed to pray at the PU mosques?’, in order to secure a VC’s slot for pro-JI Professor Dr Arif Butt but had failed when the VC’s search committee selected Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran as PU VC. Back in 2007, Shia students were forced to offer prayers on the roads and a cross-country protest campaign began which was settled by former Governor/Chancellor Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool.
Fingers point to Liaqat Baloch: The sources said the pro-JI teachers were operating under the direction of JI Lahore Chief Liaquat Baloch, who had met the Punjab CM accompanied by favoured candidate Dr Niaz Ahmad. The ISO also accused Liaqat Baloch of being the ‘string-puller’ of the clash during a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Thursday. However, when contacted by Pakistan Today, Liaqat Baloch’s personal assistant said Baloch was not involved and opposed sectarian clashes at PU.
A PU official said the ‘drama’ had been orchestrated by pro-JI faculty to secure the VC slot. He said it was unfortunate that the lives of students were being put at risk to maintain the rule of the JI through the IJT at PU. He said Dr Mujahid had controlled JI hooliganism but it had started again when his tenure was coming to a close.
IJT discrimination against Shias: A PU professor said JI professors had never allowed other religious groups to organise religious events, even though they celebrate celebrate Maulana Madudi days and organize political shows freely at the varsity. He said the tradition went back to 1994, when 4 PU students were killed Shia students opened fire when IJT activists tried to stop them from holding a majlis at PU. He said PU should allow full religious freedom to all. He said IJT activists had organised a talent show two days ago without the permission of the administration but were still not allowing Shia students to offer prayer at PU mosques.
Meanwhile, PU students, especially Shia students, condemned pro-JI faculty as responsible for the days’ violence. Shia student Fiza said over 30,000 students were being educated at PU’s 73 departments and the IJT wanted to impose their religious agenda on all of them. She said the freedom of religion was a right and had to be respected in varsities. She condemned the Punjab government and accused the Punjab CM of having a soft corner for the JI and the IJT to the detriment of PU’s 30,000 students.