Editorial
JCD convening committee full of non-students!
Where is the promised change?
FOLLOWING on the heels of the formation of the JCD central committee, that witnessed, rightly so, a widespread resentment for having members belonging to every profession but students in the body, comes the new convening committee of the Dhaka University wing of the Chhatra Dal that looks equally malformed. For, this is again, reportedly, composed not only of non-students but also some persons of questionable reputation, of people who have done time in prison, and alleged drug peddlers. This is an inexplicable move given that the RPO requires that student bodies be formed entirely of genuine regular students.
The relevant RPO provisions in the essence require a national political party to severe links with its student, teacher and labour wings. And these bodies are to function exclusively as self-governing and independent entities. Their central and executive committees are required to be formed not by the command of the party central committee but by the free will and choice of their members. But it's contrary that is happening, at least with the student body, with the BNP central leadership pushing its choice down the throat of its student body. This is in violation of the commitment made by the party, to the Election Commission before the December parliamentary election, to sever all links with associate bodies.
The BNP has sought time extension of six months for submission of the party's constitution to the EC incorporating, among other things, changes related to the party's relationship with its teacher, labour and student wings, in conformity with the RPO requirement for de-linking all connections with them. Does it give the BNP any license to continue its link with affiliated bodies as heretofore?
One cannot but be disappointed having not seen any signs as yet of change in the BNP's mindset. The BNP's refusal to offer anything new in the face of heightened public expectation for a change in political culture can only diminish the party's image.
Khaleda Zia as the party chief has sent wrong signals to the youth that are bound to mislead them apart from doing immense damage to the process of growth of young leadership from amongst the genuine students that is so very necessary for rendering politics corruption free.
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