'Too hot to bear' Students were about to create a security problem which would entail the use of force by the Government. The presence of students in the streets could eventually have posed the threat of their association with other elements of agitation, unleashing social problems and capitalising on people's economic grievances. For the Revolution leaders, it seemed 'a must' to tighten the grip on educational institutions through sharpening of authoritarian rule in the classes and campuses. They, therefore, sought to fully and firmly control academic and political activities to timely suppress a potential source of instability. The March 1954 crisis (conflict between the elderly General Mohamed Naguib and the younger Free Officers) triggered a wave of student demonstrations in favour of what the General apparently stood for: democracy and the restoration of political life. Following the settlement of the said crisis through what turned to be 'stoop to conquer', the Revolution Government became more intolerant of students' active engagement in politics. Strict measures were thus taken to at least check what could be a return by students to pre-revolution times. The Egyptian Gazette of April 19 reported the heralding of such measures. Headlined: Penalties for student politics The Gazette wrote: “Following the recent meeting between the Rectors of universities and students were decided, the Minister and legal authorities have drafted a decree to control students. “As was earlier decided, students are to be forbidden to join any political organisation or take part in any political activity. The penalties for infringement of this law being a fine of LE20 to LE50 and imprisonment up to six months. Students are, moreover, to be forbidden to hold meetings or stage demonstrations.” A few weeks later, The Egyptian Gazette elaborated on the measures, reporting under the headline of: Students to be controlled that: “The Rectors of the Egyptian universities have agreed upon a series of disciplinary measures which, it is hoped, will ensure that in future the students will consider their studies in a proper and continuous manner. “It is also reported that the Government is preparing a decree-law which will prohibit university students from joining political parties or organisations. “The Rectors are reported to have agreed on this step as being in accordance with the new era and the country's present changed circumstances.” Other measures included the division of the academic year into two terms, obviously to keep students busy with exam after another, though the system is common in the Western world. Meanwhile, the formation of the Liberation Rally, National Guard and alia to help fill the vacuum under the umbrella of patriotism on one hand, and to intimidate hostile forces on the other. Sports and artistic activities and competitions were also enhanced, especially between universities for which a midyear national festival was organised under the title of “University Student Youth Week”. [email protected]
