Paper short abstract:

This study attempts to examine the politics behind student activism in Pakistan using the ethnographic methods of semi-structured interviews and observations. The study suggests the use of social movements theory to understand student mobilisation movements.

Paper long abstract:

This study examines the politics behind student activism, especially pertaining to student mobilisation activities as a form of a social struggle. The country of interest for this paper is Pakistan, which has witnessed a recent surge in student activism, especially against the government, with the activism subsequently being labelled as "anti-national". The study utilises the ethnographic methods of semi structured interviews with student leaders behind the student movements in Pakistan and observations of students activities and student union meetings of the two main student groups analysed. In doing so, the paper attempts to answer the question of whether these movements are a part of the wider struggle for social change, or if these movements are in themselves politicised acts to gain legitimacy. Being multidisciplinary in nature, this study will contribute to not just the literature on leadership theories and student mobilisation but will also contribute to the fields of anthropology, political science and sociology.