THREE premier public universities remained closed now to abate tension in the campuses showing a highly deteriorating academic environment. BUET is closed. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and Kushtia Islamic University are also closed at the same time fearing chaos. The authorities have justified the closure to avoid untoward incidents showing discussion is no more a viable way of resolving academic problems. But why unruly elements are making the campuses volatile destroying valuable academic calendar. The big question is that the government has no control over the varsities giving party politics to dominate the scene almost similar to previous governments. Thing will not improve until such politics disappear. Reports said Kushtia Islamic University has been closed from early last week to avert violent threats of some former leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student front of ruling party Awami League. Divided into two groups, they are demanding jobs in the Varsity Administration; no matter they have the required qualification. It appears that the university authorities tried to find a solution to open the varsity holding meetings with a group. But another group has snatched the keys of the varsity transports to foil attempts to bring students to the campus. It reminds the violence at Rajshahi University two months ago in which ruling party leaders had rounded the VC at his office and hurled abusive language to force him to give jobs to party men, The question is if the government does not give protection to teachers, the closure of the varsities remains the only other option.Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has been closed almost in similar situation on Thursday last to avoid untoward incidents. It appears that the varsity authorities took the decision after a group of unruly students vandalized academic buildings and laid siege on teachers’ residential quarters. They were demanding the postponement of the term final exams until the Eid holidays scheduled from June 27. It is not easily understood why the university authorities did not agree because by closing the campus they have in fact agreed to defer the exams. Then why they did not make a gesture to students to avoid the chaos. What is more visible is that the teachers are not accommodative to students and the students on their part have hardly any respect for teachers. But such small matters are seriously defeating the cause of education. In fact, such small personal misgivings between the VC and a senior teacher are destabilizing the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and its shutter remained closed over the past week. The question is whether personal issues should be allowed space for a faction of ruling party backed teachers to demand resignation of the Vice- Chancellor and laying siege on his office blocking all classes while another group is opposing the demand. We can’t allow the varsities to become hostage to such parochial whims taking hostage of the students’ academic year. It is high time that the public varsities must realize that teaching on the part of the teachers and passing out exams by students are the best thing that they are expected by the nation. Students should therefore keep away from violence and teachers must understand for politics they must join politics away from the varsity campuses.
