Student protests that had been crushed nearly three decades ago following a crackdown on unions in Pakistan during General Zia-ul-Haq's regime seem to be back on track after the imposition of Emergency.Students of elite institutions and children of rich, educated parents who would rather spend their time listening to hip-hop and Punjabi music and racing superbikes and fancy cars have surprised everyone by spilling on to the streets and taking a stand against the suspension of fundamental rights.These students, some of whom are still in school, are braving baton-wielding policemen to oppose the ban on the media or to show solidarity with sacked judges.With black tape on their mouths and holding placards with slogans like ‘One coup per dictator’, ‘Justice for justices’, ‘Free the media’, ‘No martial law’ and ‘Restore democracy’, about 100 school students took out a silent rally in the federal capital this week.In other places across the country too students are taking to the streets and holding protests.The students of Lahore University of Management Sciences have got together with some other institutes of Lahore to observe a ‘black day’ on Thursday.Wearing black badges on their arms and foreheads, they held a token hunger strike on the campus to show their support for lawyers, journalists and others who are fighting for their rights.The Lahore students are also trying to launch mass protests in the city and have given a ‘call for unity among students’. They plan to hold protests outside mosques and educational institutions on November 16.
