Dhaka University

Matters are worsening as both the sides are steadfastly sticking to their respective positions. The BCL boys want 'rehabilitation' in the dormitories as the price for withdrawing the indefinite strike on the campus. On the other hand, the JCD leaders won't budge an inch from their position that the strike must be withdrawn unconditionally. And there is yet no sign that they will soon be able to reach an understanding to resolve the stand-off.

The campus has for years been a place where the student wing of the ruling party established its supremacy by driving out the supporters of rival organisations. The balance of power is often tipped heavily in favour of the ruling party's student front as they enjoy the advantage of the law enforcers either supporting them directly or maintaining an inscrutable silence which favours the aggressors. The upshot of it all is that the general students lose valuable time, money and energy as they wait for sanity to dawn upon the leaders of the student bodies, apparently least bothered about issues academic.

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But there is no doubt that the ruling party has to shoulder the greater responsibility as its student supporters are found to be the ones applying force to clinch any issue relating to campus politics. Obviously, the news that police joined the JCD boys in the attack on BCL supporters on Tuesday could only lower the government's image in the public eye and bolster the general belief that the ruling party was not doing enough to put an end to campus violence.

It is the supporters of the ruling party who have to show greater patience and spirit of accommodation. The DU authorities had announced that they would not allow the Shaheed Minar to be used for rallies and meetings. But the BCL announced a programme there and the JCD responded quickly by announcing a commemorative meeting on Tagore at the same place at the same time. It was not how democratic traditions and practices could be kept alive!

But this cannot continue for an indefinite period of time. The genuine students have every right to have space on the campus. The DU authorities should immediately initiate the process of normalisation by bringing the feuding student bodies to a common ground and settle the differences before more damage is done to Dhaka University, the premier educational institution of the country.