Cosmetic Surgery

Karachi University is an amusing place to be studying in. It is almost a microcosm of the world in which you will voluntarily encounter all kinds of people. For example, the newly converts zealously informing most of us what we already know: the Farhat Hashmi fanatic chicks solemnly spreading the message as to how peaceful and at the same time misunderstood Islam really is.

Other than the newly formed Hashmi cult, there is a very deep-rooted trend of hero-worshipping especially of the kind in which religion is involved, and since all higher orders of existence must endeavor to devour the lower orders of creation in order to survive wholesomely, therefore, these pure, pious, mullah brothers find themselves fairly unable to tolerate perhaps even the sight of the leftie brothers, since they are MUSLIMS before simply being human beings (as if it was derogatory to call yourself a human being without specifying whether you’re a Muslim or not? God knows what’s what).

In addition to these two antithetical bodies, there happen to be political parties functioning in the University, despite the fact that all political parties and their activities whether political or otherwise have officially been banned to operate within campus premises.

But who cares about this outright violation of an important regulation. What is important is that students must wear black gowns and remain clad in it while they’re inside the campus so that they can be distinguished as the students of Karachi University. When I got to know about this decision of the administration, I was a little amazed. Why?

Well, I was unable to see any logic in this recent action. I still cannot. It certainly does not add to the University’s prestige. It may however add a further element of puzzlement to the all-too-nonsensical kind of decisions that the administration has developed a reputation for.

Some said that the decision was taken so that teachers could be distinguished from students, and not get beaten up during the occasional clashes between political groups.

What incredulous logic: somebody has to get beaten up; let’s protect the teachers.

And to make students wear gowns is an easier and less controversial decision. To ban the political parties and their internecine armed fights calls for steely resolve.

Others mentioned that perhaps the university administration wants to act as fashion or decency cops. This sounds really stupid; too much of a non-issue to be reacted at with a regulatory measure such as this. But there is a faction of students that thinks so. On the other hand, the progressives have been distributing pamphlets and flyers, condemning this decision, and declaring it as a cunning move of some of the fundamental organizations.

The response to this decision has not been as significant as many people had predicted. It worked chiefly on the first year students: people who had not been acquainted with the University traditions.

For the seniors, it is life as usual. We are more concerned about substantial student-issues. For example, the non-uniformity and the lack of a standardized grading system while the checking of transcripts is conducted. This sometimes adversely affects the records of students. For reasons best known to themselves, this is on the backburner.

Another matter that should win the attention and concern of the bodies that are in charge is that of the biased and absurd political attitude and teachings of some teachers who simply disregard rationality and common sense, and promote severely racist attitudes toward the Americans and the Europeans, in the name of religion: faith crazy heroism as Paracha Sahib likes to put it.

This attitude is making unscholarly scholars out of the targeted students. They end up issuing their own fatwas on unsuspecting and uninvolved students. Those who mind their own businesses and expect others to mind theirs. But being passive does not seem to keep these self-righteous nose pokers at bay.

Last week, news arrived that a new Vice Chancellor has been appointed. Peerzada Qasim happens to be a good man, or so I heard. And it is largely hoped that the administration will look into matters that actually matter, rather than the non-issues that normally are taken up for an occasional diversion.