Little time for whom it's all about

It was a meeting for exchange of views between government officials and representatives of private universities against the backdrop of some students' involvement in acts of militancy.

But it was the organisers and leaders of the Awami League's student wing who mainly spoke at yesterday's meeting called by the home ministry.

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Of the 20 speakers, only six representatives of private universities were given the chance to speak. The others included two ministers, high-ups of law enforcement agencies, and leaders of the ruling AL and its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Two BCL leaders made the demand for allowing student politics in private universities, describing it as a means to counter militancy.

Talking to The Daily Star after the meeting, some private university teachers said they didn't get any scope for sharing views with the government high-ups at the meeting. They could only listen to what others said.

The teachers had hoped that there would be an open discussion where they would point out problems and give suggestions.

"We wanted to share some thoughts on the issue that has become a major problem in our society. But the scope was very limited," said a teacher at a leading private university on the condition of anonymity.

Around 300 participants, including teachers, administrative officials and students of private universities, attended the meeting on "Public safety and law and order" at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh,

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan presided over the meeting, and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid spoke as the chief guest.

The meeting began with the observance of one minute's silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan and Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj.

In the inaugural speech, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said such an atmosphere should be created at the campuses of educational institutions so that militancy cannot sow its seed there.

"We want to fight militancy and terrorism, and we need your suggestions and cooperation," he said.

Presenting the keynote paper, Monirul Islam, chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, recommended formation of anti-militancy committees comprising teachers and students at universities, organising more cultural and extracurricular activities and giving counselling to vulnerable students.

Mohammad Imran Khan, a final-year student of Independent University, said that in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, they now face questions for being students of private universities.

Then spoke the BCL general secretary and its president. Both demanded that student politics be allowed at private universities.

BCL General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain said the authorities of private universities cannot shun responsibilities for the recent killings in the name of Islam.

"Students now want student politics in all private universities. They cannot accept the decision that they have to get enrolled in the universities by signing bonds that prevent them from doing politics,” he said, adding that the students should know the history of Liberation War, culture and heritage of the country.

BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag said there must be active politics at private universities.

"It is said that madrasas and private universities are free from politics. But in reality, there exists silent politics which means militancy and terrorism," he said.

Earlier on Friday, BCL announced forming committees at all private universities as part of its efforts to fight militancy in the country.

DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said, "Terrorism and militancy are not only problems of law and order, they are also social, national and global problems. We have to rid the nation of the problems."

In the past, students from madrasas used to indulge in terrorist activities, but now students from private universities are getting involved in such activities, he said.

"Private universities should observe the days of national importance with more cultural activities," he said, urging all to cooperate with them in this “war against terrorism”.

Terming militants "cancer", Prof Atiqul Islam, vice chancellor of North South University, said his university would root it out from the campus through “operations”.

Mentioning the initiatives taken by his university, he said, "No one is above suspicion. We will keep everyone under surveillance."

He said they want to work closely with government experts and law enforcement agencies to eliminate the menace.

"We must own the problem and work with everyone to solve it," he added.

Abdul Mannan Chowhdhury, the VC of World University, proposed introducing a system under which teachers at all private universities must go through police verification after recruitment.

Enamul Haque Shamim, chairman of the trustee board of Port City International University in Chittagong, suggested keeping a watch on public universities.

Pointing out several problems at private universities, Prof Abdul Mannan, chairman of the University Grants Commission, said the boards of trustees of some universities consider themselves above law and don't bother to respond to the UGC's inquires.

Some universities don't hold syndicate meetings regularly, he said.

Mannan also suggested incorporating a topic on Bangladesh's emergence in the syllabus of every department at private universities.

Sheikh Kabir Hossain, president of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh, called upon the guardians to raise their children with more care and give them moral education at home.

Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed said the country is now at the crossroads and national unity is a must for overcoming it.

Pointing to the masterminds behind the recent terrorist attacks, he said, "We know who are playing behind the scene… Don't play with the monster. The monster you're playing with for your petty interests will wipe you out."

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid alleged that some universities carry out activities that encourage students to choose the wrong path. Some so-called teachers are behind these activities.

He urged all to wage a social movement against militancy. "To wage the movement, we all need to play due role from our respective positions."

Nahid urged teachers to infuse human and moral values into students.

Pointing at parents, he said, "Always keep an eye on your children and give them proper lessons of religion. If you find any major change in your children, contact us and also their teachers."

The principals of two English-medium schools -- Scholastica and Manarat International School and College -- also spoke.

Currently, there are 95 private universities in the country. Of them, 85 are running academic activities with more than 4.63 lakh students.