A student of Bahria University met with a sad fate
Bahria University has caused massive uproars lately with its completely WTF notifications and alleged discrimination against students. How much can one educational institution be incompetent in implementing sane, progressive policies that promote positive intellectual discourse? Sadly we get to see Bahria upping the ante on that one, yet again.
Haleema, a student of Bahria University, fell to her death from the 4th floor of an under-construction building that was opened to the university body without properly securing
Haleema was said to be in her second semester, studying BS Accounting and Finance. Her death has shocked and angered students at Bahria who took to social media to raise their voice against the university administration allowing people into an under-construction building without securing it properly.
#Islamabad: Haleema, student of BS A&F second semester, at #BahriaUniversity fell from the fourth floor about an hour ago.
Recent report from the witnesses suggest that it was due to negligence of Bahria University and the terrace was not protected with proper fencing.
— Islamabadies (@Islamabadies) September 26, 2019
It has been shared that the building Haleema fell from was of Bahria Business School, a newly opened separate building which was opened to students without providing water, internet or electric transformers
The students on social media and the ones we spoke to are claiming that the building was constructed hurriedly to enroll the maximum number of students and they were pushed in it prior to completion. Even the terraces were not fenced. If this is indeed the case, it is extremely unprofessional and disgustingly cold hearted money-hungry move by the administration.
#bahriauniversity The only thing they really care about is the money. pic.twitter.com/qLKS8UvmRg
— Alina Hashmi (@alinahashmi) September 26, 2019
A student of Bahria University spoke to MangoBaaz on condition of anonymity explaining the scene on campus when the news broke of Haleema falling off the building
“We were in our classes when we got the text of Haleema slipping. What we know is that a cardboard or a clothe covered the part of the ground where it was Kaccha. Haleema did not see it obviously and fell four stories down. Her parents were called, but she expired in the hospital.
Classes got cancelled after that. So, it is hard to speculate the management’s reaction. For now, they have sealed the fourth floor. It’s absolutely horrific to imagine what it must be doing to her family members.”
A video of the building where Haleema is alleged to have fallen off of has also started circulating on social media
…new building but the management totally ignored it. The administration needs to answer about it. All they are concerned about is segregation rules, 6 inch rule and much more irrelevant rules.
May Allah give them patience and courage to suffer this huge loss. #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/7NMondYozS
— Islamabadies (@Islamabadies) September 26, 2019
Pakistanis are absolutely baffled by Bahria University managing to yet again fuck up trying to be a safe space for intellectual discourse for young students in Pakistan
Bahria Uni has once again proved to be a hub of barbarians,caging students into an “under construction” building and causing a girl to lose her life because of lack of safety measures.BU,you disgust me.Your management and rector should be sued into the ground!!#bahriauniversity
— Fatima Satti (@FatimaSatti10) September 26, 2019
The institutes have become so lucrative & business-oriented that lives doesn't matter anymore.
Its the very breach of the contract, uni pursued while giving addmission to students.
Deplorable state of affairs and absence of basic faclities. #bahriauniversity https://t.co/ZhOd6FxSVn— Rawas_Ali (@Rawas49634307) September 26, 2019
Bahria University is being called out for its dubious policies and incompetence
if only you were smart enough to make sure the building was completed during the summers or at least the areas which are under construction are sealed for students rather than making segregation laws and separate cafes, haleema would still be with us today. #BahriaUniversity
— reems (@hareemjkhan) September 26, 2019
Did the rector not know how dangerous is to conduct classes in such a building or was he too busy noticing the tights and short shirts of women and how close she is standing to a guy? Yep he is!#justiceforhaleema#bahriauniversity
— Laraib (@Laraib_Zahra5) September 26, 2019
#bahriauniversity cares more about the segregation of cafes/class rooms rather than the safety of their own students. Along with all the money they get from giving admissions to 2000 students per semester. #justiceforhaleema
— Alina Hashmi (@alinahashmi) September 26, 2019
People are demanding justice for innocent Haleema
https://twitter.com/Rimshha1/status/1177236060767756291
https://twitter.com/R_M_Hussain/status/1177253784600436741
Students are alleging that instead of repenting over the incident, Bahria University is trying to delete proof that classes were held at the under-construction campus at all
i’m honestly scared of my university at this point, they removed the timetables from their website to hide the proof that BA had classes on the fourth floor of the new business school’s building. but ofc the students have their timetables and are sending it in. #BahriaUniversity
— reems (@hareemjkhan) September 26, 2019
The management is even presenting excuses to cover up for their blunder
HALEEMA WAS A CLASS MATE SAYING BUSINESS BLOCK MEIN JANE SE MANA KIYA THA YOU RASCALSSS LIARS
WE ALL HAVE CLASSES IN THAT UN-FINISHED BUILDING
THE WHOLE MANAGEMENT SCIENCE HAVE CLASSES IN THAT BUILDING STOO SPREADING LIESSS #bahriauniversity @Official_BU #BU @BUheadquarters pic.twitter.com/5oBFoGplkr— Rahma Khawaja (@khawaja_rahma) September 26, 2019
But students are not letting the university management get away with this
False news and rumours being spread on media that business school wasn't open for students but here's a today's timetable #BahriaUniversity#JusticeForHaleema pic.twitter.com/A4eqO6oBUV
— Malik M Saqib Awan (@thegame1695) September 26, 2019
Bahria University’s regard for students’ lives could be understood just by this thoughtless remark
https://twitter.com/ayeshakhalid7/status/1177240373825081345
There’s nothing more pathetic than an educational institution preferring ton loads of fees over students’ safety. Universities are supposed to be safe havens for students to grow and mature in their intellectual capacities, not be governed by silly policies made by conservative old men who see them as nothing but money-making sources.
Honestly, how many students will have to lose their lives before there is a major change in the educational system of Pakistan becoming more open, inclusive and progressive?
What do you think of this truly saddening incident? Let us know in the comments.
Cover image via Wikimedia.org / @Islaamabad via Twitter