NON-FICTION: A HISTORY OF STUDENT ACTIVISM
If one looks into the political history of many developing countries, one may find a trajectory that has been an identical hallmark in the political journeys of these nations. Their pages of history are filled with memorable struggles where the students’ community is found playing the role of vanguard in changing political destinies.
These student communities worked tirelessly to improve socio-economic conditions for the people and to establish a just democratic order that could fulfil the aspirations of the dispossessed masses. Taking into account the contribution which student communities made by participating in these movements, it is a historical fact that students have long served as a catalyst for many political changes and helped in paving the ground for mainstream politicians to carry out their reform agenda and carve out roadmaps.
These student movements were usually loaded with socialistic ideologies and laid the foundations of similar progressive student movements in many countries. Support also came from their comrades who represented trade union leaders, human rights activists and other members of the working classes. They campaigned vigorously to achieve their goals and earned success in dismantling despotic regimes, uprooting exploitative policies and promising a better tomorrow for the masses. Of course, many betrayals, disappointments and roadblocks were also experienced in the journey, but their struggles continued despite all odds.