Government Considers Dissolving Student Organizations: Official Decision Sparks Protests
The government, led by Prime Minister Balen Shah, has resolved to remove party-affiliated student organizations from schools and universities within 60 days. Within 90 days, the government plans to establish non-partisan student councils or ‘Student Voices’ as alternatives. Student organizations have criticized this decision as authoritarian and have issued warnings of protests. Kathmandu, March 30. Since his appointment, Prime Minister Shah has been both praised and criticized for his ‘bold decisions’ and their implementation. On March 27, the cabinet meeting chaired by Balen approved a list of 100 tasks, which included a plan to eliminate party-based student groups from educational institutions within 60 days.
The government’s timetable specifies that within 60 days, party-affiliated student organizations must be removed from schools and universities. Proponents argue this measure is necessary to prevent the decline in educational standards. As a replacement, the government intends to establish non-partisan structures such as student councils or ‘Student Voice’ within 90 days.
While many citizens on social media have welcomed this step, student organizations have expressed strong disagreement. Dujang Sherpa, outgoing president of the Nepal Students’ Union (Nevisangh), cautioned, “Don’t put your hand into the ring of fire; the flames can consume you.” Leaders of Nevisangh have claimed they granted Prime Minister Shah the ‘right to rap’ but oppose this political intervention. The All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) affiliated with the UML party and the All Nepal Revolutionary Students’ Union linked to the Maoists also oppose the government’s decision. On the other hand, the government argues that political interference in education must be eliminated. Their statement reads, “Political intervention in education suppresses the genuine voices of students and causes a decline in educational quality. Therefore, party-based student organizations should be phased out within 60 days and replaced by student councils or ‘Voice of Students’ within 90 days.”
The history of student movements in Nepal dates back to the ‘Jayatu Sanskritam’ movement of 1947 BS (1890 AD), the first organized student rebellion against the Rana regime. In 1949 BS (1892 AD), the All Nepal Student Federation (Anevife) was founded, and in 1975 BS (1918 AD), the Free Student Union (Swaviyu) was established. The Nepal Students’ Union (Nevisangh) was formally founded on April 19, 1970 (6 Baishakh 2027 BS), initiated by BP Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for underground struggles against the Panchayat system. In recent decades, student organizations have deviated from their mission, negatively impacting the academic environment. Episodes of violence, arson, and disorder during Swaviyu elections, tuition fee protests, and political demands have become common.
The unrest caused by student groups has troubled not only the general public and students but also their own leadership factions. At Tribhuvan University, student activists vandalized the office of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Khadga KC and locked down the office of Dean Prof. Duvinand Dhakal. According to the university spokesperson, such physical attacks and attempts at character assassination on social media have severely disrupted administrative operations during critical periods such as undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, classes, and exam form submissions, which follow the annual academic calendar.
Student leaders find themselves caught between challenges to their existence and opposition to the elected government’s decision. They argue that the government’s move undermines constitutional freedoms by banning political parties and organizations. Suraj Sejuwal, spokesperson of Nevisangh, stated, “A dark cloud has arrived. Reform was made without regard to the constitution. Expressing political views is a fundamental right. The current Swaviyu structure should not be dismantled. We must not move toward authoritarianism.”
On the prospect of dissolving student organizations and the broader implications, educationist Vidyanath Koirala commented, “Instead of shutting down student organizations, efforts should be focused on how to reform them.” Thus, the future of student organizations and the implementation of the government’s decision remain closely watched and areas of concern.