Eden College: Healing the wound

The agitating students of the College backed by student front of Awami League, has however, made it clear that the change of principal would not solve the problem. Some of the demands of the general students include removal of the outsiders from the college and ending the "seat business."

By seat business they mean collection of money from students seeking accommodation in the dormitories. It has, however, been in practice for long. It is an open secret that a section of leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Chhatra League have long been involved in this illegal trade. Such 'business' is being run very much within the knowledge of the management of the respective educational institutions.

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In case of public sector educational institutions, including universities, the influence of the student front of the ruling party is strong compared to the private institutions. Some JCD leaders try to ensure accommodation in dormitories in public sector educational institutions including the universities for those who are identified as their loyalists. The leaders of the student front of Awami League also might have their share in seat allotment. Money plays an important role in the allotment of accommodations and those coming from rural areas are left with no choice but to grease the palms of some student leaders, preferably those belonging to JCD presently.

The incident which took place in Eden Girl's College on March 14 is unfortunate and cannot be easily passed over. It is also difficult to condone the actions of those who conducted the attacks. Had the authorities wanted, the brutalities which the college students suffered could have been avoided.

It is being asked in different circles why the college administration allowed the situation to aggravate instead of finding a peaceful solution. There is need for a thorough investigation into the matter for fixing responsibilities so that actions could be taken against persons responsible for this shameful incident. The action against the college principal may be treated as just one step towards restoration of normalcy in the college.

The gravity of the situation demands formation of a high level committee to probe the incident and recommend actions as per its findings. It is hoped that steps towards establishment of congenial academic atmosphere in Eden College would begin soon. Authorities should give due attention also to other educational institutions so that similar incidents do not occur anywhere else.

The policemen on duty were seen playing dubious role as instead of trying to restrain the attackers, some of them acted as aids of the attackers against the agitating students. The electronic media have screened some shots of the incident, which were watched not only by the countrymen but also the viewers outside.

Is it not shameful that female students were subjected to physical attacks by activists of JCD for raising some logical and reasonable demands -- stoppage of seat business and expulsion of outsiders from the dormitories?

Earlier, on March 13 an announcement was made declaring sine die closure of the Eden College asking the inmates of the dormitories to vacate their seats by March 14 morning.

The ruling party leaders would probably cite the example of the attack on students including those belonging to JCD inside the hostels of Eden College during the time of Sheikh Hasina government. But they should be reminded the high price that the party (AL) had to pay for its mistakes and excesses.

This example however, would not be acceptable to any one as an argument in defence of the March 14 Eden College incident. It is being asked in different circles whether the ruling party parliament member representing the area, Nasiruddin Pintu, had any role behind it. It is the job of the authorities to clear their position to the nation.

The incident of March 14 has left at least 20 students injured including one teacher. How the teacher became a target still remains unclear. There can be some charges against the agitating students for coming out on the streets defying the authority's decision to close the college. For such an offence they should not have been made the target of such brutal attacks. The cries of the general students, most of whom are from outside the city, had fallen on deaf ear.

The JCD has probably celebrated its apparent victory in driving away the agitating students. But saner section of society would describe it as a defeat for JCD.

The action against the principal, however, indicates the government's intention to restore normalcy in the college. It is hoped that the government would move in the right direction and more steps should follow so that congenial academic atmosphere is established in the institution and the students are back to their classes.

The number of students who suffered emotionally has outnumbered those who suffered physical injuries. The incident is a matter of very sad experience for all of us and a shame for the country. The government should remain on guard also about other educational institutions so that similar incidents do not occur elsewhere.

Nurul Huda is a Special Correspondent of BSS.