Student leaders joined democratic movements, but not rightly motivated

IN THE 10 years of pseudo democratic rule of the present government, its student wing killed many people, attacked protesters against government injunction to protect the regime, and the recent attack by Chhatra League activists on the students at Dhaka University campus is not an isolated one. News media reported that around 50 students who were demanding exemplary punishment of the BCL men for assaulting and molesting them on January 15 were further injured in the fresh attack by the old thugs. The Chhatra League activists at first attacked the male students and molested female ones on the corridor inside the VC office and when the students tried to escape through different gates, the attackers once again clubbed them indiscriminately. The repeated attacks were conducted by the student wing which has a long heritage to be a part of democratic movement. Now it is clear they themselves have no respect for democratic tolerance. Joining democratic movement and to see it realised are different things.

Media reports said even the students, including females, who did not take part in the protest but tried to save the protesters from the attackers, were not spared. The protesting students were holding programmes since January 18 night when the university administration lodged a case against 50 to 60 unidentified students who allegedly broke the collapsible gate of the proctor’s office during a demonstration on January 17. On Tuesday, the demonstrators formed a human chain in front of the arts faculty building to press home their four point demands, including withdrawal of the case in connection with intruding into the proctor’s office.

Their demands also included — actions against the attacker Chhatra League activists, resignation of proctor and cancellation of the affiliation of seven colleges to the university. After holding the human chain, over 100 students moved toward VC office breaking three collapsible gates to confine Professor Akhteruzzman to his office around noon.

Not only at Dhaka University, the Chhatra League activists often locked in clashes centering their internal feud in different college-varsity campuses. At least five activists of the organization were killed in infighting in the last six months. Besides, they were also seen attacking the common students which seriously disrupted academic atmosphere. We have seen the BCL men threatened female students to gang-rape in Rajshahi in broad daylight. The ongoing mayhem by the ruling party’s student wing has been bolstered for allegedly getting protection of the law enforcement agencies.

When the BCL central leaders had announced to form school committee in high school, we become intimidated as the immoral activities what become trade mark of the organisation would destroy the youthfulness of juveniles. In fact, the near to impunity and license to attack and violate other’s democratic rights go against the spirit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s teaching.

We are disheartened and disappointed to see, especially, the leaders of the Student League feel no commitment to democratic practices at Dhaka University. On the contrary, they behave violently which is most unstudent like anywhere.