Editorial
Campus disorder
AL is yet to rein in its students' wing
WHAT has been demonstrated by the Chhatra League, through its muscle flexing and efforts to bring under control various halls of residence, was nothing short of being disruptive for the major educational institutions of the country. The matter has been further compounded by the clashes between various factions of the Chhatra League (BCL) for control of the turf.
It is matter of great concern to see the universities turned into battlefields, and halls of residence becoming sanctuaries for stockpiling lethal weapons for use against rivals. And this phenomenon has increased in intensity with the AL assuming the reins of power in January 2009.
In the latest incident, police had to be called in to tackle a potentially volatile situation in Mohsin Hall, stemming from rivalry between supporters of the president and the general secretary respectively, of the Chhatra League unit of Dhaka University, over the control of the Hall. And the underlying reason for the clash was securing by force tender of development work of the Hall.
On more than one occasion we had highlighted the deleterious consequences of allowing student activities that had nothing to do with the interest of the general students as such, go unchecked. We have been pained to hear comments from certain quarters to the effect that the BCL had been at the receiving end during the regime of the 4-party alliance and it is only fair that they be allowed to give back what they got.
That is the most preposterous argument and indeed a dangerous position to take because it will not only vitiate the atmosphere in the universities, it will also help BCL perpetuate its activities. Needless to say, it also goes against the very spirit of change that the AL so volubly articulated in its election pledge.
We are constrained to say that the AL leadership is too soft on its student wing. Except for the warning pronounced by the Prime Minister recently, no tangible action has been noticeable so far against the unruly and disruptive elements of the BCL. Evidently, the PM's warning is having no effect on the student wing of her party.
The AL need not be reminded that one of the reasons for the heavy defeat of the BNP was the misuse of power of, and corruption by, its various factions. It is time that the AL realised that the rampant unruly conduct of the BCL will gain for it no political dividends at all. It is not too late either to take stern action against these elements.
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