Pakistan: Islamist Goons at University of Punjab - Islami Jamiat e Taliba (IJT) Act As Morality Brigade
Daily Times - January 04, 2014 - by Arsalan Haider
Morality brigade in action:
IJT activists thrash PU student for co-studying with female classmate
LAHORE: Activists of Islami Jamiat e Taliba (IJT) on Friday demonstrated yet another display of barbarism and influence at the University of Punjab when they beat a male student for sitting next to his female classmate in Vice Chancellor Office Lawn. During the visit of this scribe at PU, it was observed that an activist of IJT was beating a male student and other activists were forcing the student to leave the lawn after his female friend. After beating the student, IJT members ordered him to walk across the ground while holding his ears as a sign of repent.
It is pertinent to mention here that the lawn is adjacent to PU Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran’s office and two to three security guards are always deputed outside VC office. As the incident happened and continued for at least 10 minutes, none of the guards approached the spot to stop IJT students. The student who was tortured, told Daily Times while requesting anonymity that he and his fellow were studying at the lawn as IJT activists called him and asked about the department. He said that he told them they were studying during a recess, but the IJT activists did not listen further and started to thrash him. He added that IJT activists were saying that sitting of male student with female was not allowed in PU premises as it was against the principles of Islam.
He was of the view that university was a studying place and they must not be stopped for studying in the premises of university. He said that he had previously listened and seen barbarism of these activists with other students but he never thought that this would happen to him. “I am still shocked and could not believe that they were beating me for studying while sitting with a female student,” he added.
He said that he now believed that if IJT activists could torture teachers without any reason then how a student could remain save. To a question about filing complaint to administration, he was of the view that he would not file a complaint as he feared that IJT activists would come to his department and torture him again. He demanded PU vice chancellor, Punjab chief minister and other government officials to take action again those miscreants who did not want a peaceful studying environment at PU.
As some observers say, these types of activities of IJT activists was not a new phenomenon in PU premises. It is worth mentioning that in year 2013 IJT was involved in several illegal and hooliganism when al-Qaeda activist was arrested from the room of a Nazim of IJT in PU Hostels. In December 2013, IJT activists tortured lecturers of Punjab University Law College and locked them in a room. After a grand operation at PU Hostels, drugs, liquor and bullets were found in the room of IJT Nazim.
Although PU administration had taken strict action against IJT, but the recent incident of beating the student shows that there is still need actions against them in order to save the peaceful academic environment of the varsity. When contacted, PU spokesman said that PU administration would take disciplinary action against those involved in hooliganism if some one lodged a complaint about any incident. He added that the PU was a coeducation university and university had not barred its male and female students to sit together as there was no objection while they are studying. IJT spokesman Hafiz Luqman said he was never informed about the issue that some IJT activists beat a male student just for sitting with female fellow. He said that he would inquire the matter and if some activists of IJT found involved in beating or torturing, they will be expelled from the party.
In a separate incident, IJT activists also threatened security officials deputed at PU Jamia Mosque during Friday prayer. PU Estate Officer Abdul Shakoor and Assistant Security Officer Shahbaz Ahmed were performing their duties outside Jamia Mosque, New Campus for the safety of Namazis when IJT activists Abdul Kabeer, Tanzeel ur Rehman, Usman and four others came to them. The spokesman said IJT goons threatened security officials that they would broke their legs for their involvement in lodging FIRs against them. While threatning Shahbaz Ahmed, they said they would take revenge from him at his hometown in Mansehra. It is pertinent to mention here that Shakoor was a complainant against Abdul Kabeer in an FIR and the accused was on bail. The university administration has forwarded application to Muslim Town police for registration of FIR.
The PU spokesman said threats meted out to PU security officers after Friday prayer was a shameful act committed by IJT hooligans. He said that the IJT’s behavior reflected its hypocrisy and despicable character.
Punjab University: ‘Parents must keep kids away from IJT’
TV Programme: Hooliganism by IJT in Punjab University
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x184qzk_programme-hooliganism-by-ijt-in-punjab-university_news
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x184qzk_programme-hooliganism-by-ijt-in-punjab-university_news
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