No one knew when it would come to an end. No one pondered over the consequences that would follow. The only thing they knew was that they had the fire, the fervor and the zeal to fight for their rights. And to everyone’s utter surprise, they succeeded!
On the 14th of September, when the students were valiantly leading their rather peaceful demonstration on the streets under the scorching heat of the sun, Government finally declared the withdrawal of VAT imposition on the private university students.
The month long protest including human chains, in-campus movements, presenting memorandum to the honorable Prime Minister, social media rampage, all failed to draw the attention of the mass people, the concerned authority. That is when the students were compelled to get down on the streets.
It all began when one fine morning, we all woke up to newspapers with headlines like this:
‘The Finance Minister decides to introduce a 10% VAT upon higher education in private universities in the draft of budget for 2015-16’.
Later, following strong opposition, the VAT was reduced to 7.5%.
Students who were victim to generalized misconceptions and termed as spoiled brats, Facebook addicts, selfie generation, etc. were outraged and disgruntled.
When we think of movements and protests in the country, automatically the image of riots, vandalism, violence, upheaval, etc. clicks our mind. But it bewildered every citizen of this country when it was observed that the demonstration led by these private university students was peaceful, structured and very organized causing no harm to public property. While the students blocked major points of the city to leave an impact, they also made sure no ambulances, school vans, individuals in emergency, or women were hindered.
Impressed and touched by their heart-wrenching plight to withdraw VAT on their education, with no violence involved, eventually mass media, people and even their so called “competitors” in the market, the students of public universities reciprocated their feeling and supported their cause.
Finally, after five days of incessant slogans depicting “NO VAT ON EDUCATION” and a harmonious movement by the students, Government responded to their pleas and decided to withdraw 7.5% VAT on private universities.
Today, this act of a successful movement might be perceived as the Government’s surrender to the protesting students, but in reality, it has added a new dimension to our country’s prospects. The victory of the students does not mean it is the Government’s defeat. After witnessing this revolutionary movement of the prodigies, I foresee the leaders of tomorrow. I anticipate the pioneers of the nation. Do you?
by
Karishma Mahfuz
