Redefining student politics at BUET

Students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) are now at a critical point in maintaining their campus free from unwelcome student politics. They have already urged the government and the university authorities not to allow any political activities on the campus and dormitories. For the last four and a half years, the BUET has successfully proved that the restriction on student politics on campus brings a wave of positive changes. It becomes a vibrant campus where students regularly organise various cultural and creative events, observe various national days with due respect, and come forward to mobilise socialisations besides regular academic activities.

The vibrant ambience is, however, achieved at a heavy price - the death of Abrar Fahad, a brilliant student, coupled with the traumas of many students who got brutally tortured and intimidated year after year in the name of student politics. During that period, the BUET authorities failed to protect students from brutal ragging and bullying by a section of activists of the student wing of the ruling party. A group of such activists brutally murdered Abrar on the false allegation that he was involved with Islamist politics. The murder shocked the whole country, and heavy protests erupted at the campus. Thanks to the prompt actions taken by the law-enforcement agencies, almost all the killers and their associates were captured. They have also faced trial and are now waiting for the final verdict. In the meantime, BUET banned all kinds of political activities on campus, helping to curb the nauseous culture of intimidation.  

Now, there is a move to reverse the course in the name of constitutional rights of student politics. The Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) is at the forefront of resuming political activities at the BUET campus and has already gotten a green light from the High Court. Though the court verdict labelled banning student politics on campus illegal, the legal scope to challenge the verdict is also there. Unfortunately, the BUET authorities seem less interested in moving ahead and completing the legal fights. So, general students become anxious and try their best to keep the campus free of student politics.

In the name of consolidating progressive thoughts and curbing religious fundamentalism, politics of terror and torture must not be allowed in BUET and any other educational institutions in the country. It is also time to rein in any student politics that smacks of aberration and moral degradation. Those who have maligned the glorious past of the student movements in the country do not fit into the academic picture.

Gone are the days when there was a need for student politics to fight against autocratic regimes. After 1990, student politics gradually lost its relevance and shifted to the exercise of power and corruption. Instead of upholding the rights of students in general, these organisations linked to the two major political parties have practised violence and intimidation to establish their authority over each other. The destructive trend turned into a monstrous one, especially in the last decade.

Nevertheless, an ample opportunity is there now in the BCL's hands to correct the wrong course and set a historical example of reconciliation. Instead of pushing hard to resume political activities at BUET campus, the student organisation may announce solidarity with the BUET students' demand for keeping the campus free from politics. By doing so, the organisation will win the hearts of many more students nationwide. It will not be a defeat as many hardcore activists may think. Rather, it will bring a long-term benefit for all. Will the student organisation take the uncharted road for a fresh beginning?

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