A PROPOSAL on two previous decisions regarding the banning of student and teacher politics at educational institutions was placed at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. However, it was later withdrawn without any reason. The decisions to ban student and teacher politics on campus in Bangladesh were taken during the Ershad regime at a Cabinet meeting on December 8, 1986. During that time, it was planned that educational institutions would be freed of politics to ensure an atmosphere conducive to healthy education.
More than three decades have passed yet attempts to free our education sector remains a delusion. Not that student politics is highly detrimental on all counts, but what’s happening in the name of student politics in Bangladesh is a sheer display of muscle power, the grabbing of projects, tenders and businesses and most importantly deadly violence and anarchy. Nevertheless, during the 2007 caretaker government’s tenure, the issue of banning student politics returned to the fore. But the move drew flak from different quarters. Understandably, its future is somewhat uncertain.
It is true during almost any national movement student organizations once used to play a vital role historically. Not only were they a deciding factor, but they were the pioneer in many occasions, especially during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Nevertheless, the core objective of student politics then was for the greater interest of the people.
The current nature of student politics is completely unprincipled which does not encourage us to have any satisfaction at all. Unfortunately, student politics, especially by the ruling party backed front – in these days – has become a ‘tool’ to practice unnecessary power on others, be it opposition student fronts or common students who have no political attachment. We did observe it from Bangladesh Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir during BNP-Jamaat regime and it remains the same for BCL now. In this process, the innocent get repressed and the troublemakers enjoy commendation and a sort of cover from their party high-ups. In fact, there is no student politics. All students’ fronts implement the agenda of the political parties.
One has little doubt that all unsolicited events give heavy jolts to the smooth functioning of our educational institutions, making the atmosphere insecure for the common students who go there for study. We think that it’s time to decide the procedure of student politics in the campus, and it must be kept free from the political parties’ control.
