Nepal, June 6 -- There was a time when Nepal's student unions played a vital role in enriching the country's political landscape. This was the case during the rebellion against the autocratic Rana regime in the 1950s, the movement for restoration of democracy in 1990, and for the monarchy's abolition in 2006. Student leaders even made a big contribution in heralding the new federal republic. They were thus considered a vital part of any university's fraternity and of the larger political space. Unfortunately, things have changed for the worse, and these unions are losing their significance.

Ask any student at Tribhuvan University-Nepal's oldest and largest-what positive impact student politics has had on their welfare, and they will have...