Yesterday, it came to light that FAST Lahore has threatened and punished students over making and posting memes about the university. Surely social media trolling does tarnish the academic institution’s image but the management must know that it’s not illegal to make memes.
The university has been facing severe backlash after they issued a punishment notice to students who were involved in trolling the university online. FAST Lahore has demanded the written ‘Facebook’ apology from the students and also expelled them for one semester.
Also, the students have been publically shamed by university management. However, people are coming to their support and condemning FAST university and their policies.
Universities are supposed to be beacons of free speech and thought. At Cambridge there were protests against university policies, people posted on social media and none of their grades were downgraded.
What is wrong with FAST! Dont’t reduce their grades! pic.twitter.com/Lsmx2MA8Kz
— Ali Moeen Nawazish (@am_nawazish) June 28, 2020
How can FAST threaten students who have graduated already with degree cancellations just because of what they post on social media? pic.twitter.com/KyC4HPsK7n
— Ali Moeen Nawazish (@am_nawazish) June 28, 2020
This so unfair. Can't imagine the pain these students are dealing with #ShameOnFAST pic.twitter.com/bnYuKPXmQ2
— Muhammad Zain (@zain_manutd) June 28, 2020
#ShameOnFAST #togetheragainstmafia
Stop the insecurity, stop oppression of students. pic.twitter.com/YmpseBmJwk— Syed Mohammad Haisam (@haisamsyed) June 28, 2020
Universities are supposed to be places of excellence. FAST chose pettiness instead.#ShameonFAST @Shafqat_Mahmood @hecpkofficial pic.twitter.com/6Gl8qcpH9m
— Ijlal Haider (@myselfijlal) June 28, 2020
Memes that got FASt students expelled.
Very shameful.#TogetherAgainstMafia#ShameOnFAST pic.twitter.com/5y6LkHgn9R
— Jay (@jaydwarfson) June 28, 2020
So apparently, FAST decided that jeopardizing student futures because they made memes "defaming" the institute is okay. Ye koi martial law hai jo draconian laws lagao ge? Article 19 gives u the right to speech, not you.#ShameOnFast #togetheragainstmafias pic.twitter.com/dBIu7B3rX5
— Anees Hassan Khan (@AneesHassanKha1) June 28, 2020
I used to be, but I'm not anymore. YES, I AM NOT PROUD OF THIS PIECE OF PAPER.#ShameOnFAST pic.twitter.com/yG9VpQWZbX
— Shaheera Fatima Khan (@LadyElectriXan) June 28, 2020
However, it’s normal as part of students’ life where they harmlessly troll sometimes their teachers, university, or their fellow classmates. These things make their academic years more interesting and memorable for the rest of their lives. However, disrespecting anyone is not acceptable at any level.
Moreover, the recent action by the university is also against the freedom of speech. Even if it wasn’t memes but some serious allegations, students have all the right to raise their concerns and talk about their issues.
Also, a few days back, FAST University also grabbed headlines when they increased their semester fees during this pandemic despite ‘useless’ online classes. Already, the FAST University is known for giving tough time to the students. They are not setting a very good example in the name of rules for sure.
What do you think about the story? Tell us in the comment section below.
