KATHMANDU: A recent government directive to remove student and staff-affiliated political organizations from universities has triggered strong backlash from student unions and political parties.
On Monday, Prime Minister Balen Shah summoned university vice-chancellors to Singha Durbar and instructed them to immediately dismantle partisan student and employee organizations from campuses.
The move follows a provision in the government’s recently approved policy agenda, which states that structures of politically affiliated student organizations must be removed from university premises within 60 days. It also proposes establishing Student Councils or a Voice of Students mechanism within 90 days as an alternative.
The policy further allows for the formation of permanent or temporary security units within campuses to enforce the decision.
Student unions protest, call decision undemocratic
Student organizations have strongly opposed the decision, calling it an attack on democratic values and academic freedom.
Chair of the All Nepal National Free Students Union, Deepak Dhami, said the decision undermines the essence of democracy.
“We will strongly resist this authoritarian decision that erodes democratic values,” Dhami told Khabarhub. He added that the government itself was creating conditions for conflict by threatening to deploy police on campuses even as student bodies sought dialogue through peaceful protest.
ANNFSU staged demonstrations in various parts of Kathmandu on Monday, including torch rallies, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the decision. Protesters chanted slogans against the government, while police used force and detained demonstrators after they attempted to enter restricted areas.
Govinda Koirala, president of the Free Students Union at Tri-Chandra Campus, termed the decision unilateral and against democratic principles.
“Establishing security units in educational institutions and removing student organizations contradicts the Constitution,” he said.
Political reactions and wider criticism
Leaders from other student bodies and political parties have also expressed concern.
President of the Nepal Students Union, Dujang Sherpa, urged party leadership to take a clear stance against the decision and raise the issue strongly in Parliament.
Former NSU General Secretary Yubaraj Pandey said student organizations should be reformed and regulated rather than banned.
“Student unions exist to safeguard student rights. In the current context, reforms through legal frameworks are necessary, but banning them is undemocratic,” he said, adding that the decision could weaken political awareness among youth.
Similarly, Vice-chair of the All Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary), Naresh Regmi, warned of protests against what he described as an unconstitutional move.
“Saying the system has flaws and dismantling it entirely is not the solution. The government appears to be moving toward authoritarianism,” he said, adding that protests would initially remain peaceful but could escalate if the decision is not reversed.
Concerns over academic autonomy
Critics have also linked the decision to broader concerns about political interference in academic institutions.
They cited the resignation of Kedar Bhakta Mathema from key academic positions in the past, arguing it reflects a pattern of weakening academic autonomy.
Joint student organizations, issuing a statement after discussions with former student leaders and lawmakers at Nepal Law Campus, concluded that the decision violates constitutional rights, including freedom of association.
They warned that such measures could hinder the political socialization of youth and contradict democratic values and international human rights standards. While acknowledging the need to reform distortions within student movements, they said they remain committed to dialogue and cooperation with the government to find a constructive solution.
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