🇧🇩 Student Politics must be banned from campuses

[Saif]

No campus politics, please!
Neil Ray
Published :
Sep 15, 2024 21:36
Updated :
Sep 15, 2024 21:36

Once the cradle of politics, the University of Dhaka (DU) now wants to get rid of politics. It is time that decides the utility of almost everything both in individual and collective life. The toy a child holds dear to his/her heart has no part in adulthood. But politics cannot be likened with a toy. It is the staple of nationhood of all the peoples the world over. A government is made and unmade on the basis of political engagement with its people unless ambitious military carries out coups to take power forcibly and illegally.

Then why do students of DU find politics unacceptable, particularly when student politics boasts a glorious past? Even the non-party student movement that deposed the authoritarian government actually had as its driving force politics by default. It is not just national politics that degenerated over the years, it also dragged down student politics along with it. Viciously polluted student politics under the influence of successive governments including military autocrats, has discredited itself for long. It only exceeded all limits during the past regime.

The cradle of politics this time has witnessed a response unprecedented in history from students under the banner of general students. It is in fact the triumph of the good over the evil, of the oppressed over the tyrants of the humble over the arrogant. The Chhatra League spearheaded the student movement against the Pakistani oppressive and exploitative regime successfully. Its degeneration is pathetic indeed. It changed for the worse with time and has naturally been dumped into the dungeon. Again, the virtuous and the apparently defenceless became victorious against their oppressors.

It is the brutal and ugly experience with student politics on campus that actually created the spark for the conflagration of a movement that consumed the seemingly all powerful and mindless regime. The brutality and horrors of the campus life, particularly of the dormitories subjected to what looks like an Orwellian dystopia, are fresh in memory of students unwilling to join politics. It is quite natural, they stand firm to banish politics for students, teachers and general staff from the campus.

To press home their demand on Friday last, a group of students of DU brought out a protest rally and held a brief meeting where they announced that until party politics were not banned, they would not attend classes scheduled to start from September 22 next. Indeed, politics on political party lines have vitiated academic life not only of Dhaka University but all autonomous and public universities. Military dictators initiated the process of spoiling the academic environment by creating their lackeys and stooges along with forming student organisations. A political party known for its anti-liberation role once virtually made Chattogram University a fortress for its student wing. With the changeover of state power every time, the dormitories have been captured by the student wing of the ruling party.

With such a murky past, the relevance of campus politics has ceased. Now is the time to concentrate on developing an atmosphere where civilised norms and democratic values reign supreme. The days of bullies and big brothers should be a thing of the past. Only such an environment can be enabling enough for academic excellence by virtue of greater devotion to study, research and creation of new knowledge. Why the higher study in the country fails on those scores is not far to seek. If teachers are recruited and promoted on consideration of political allegiance, they are likely to be subservient ready to please their recruiting bosses instead of exploring the world of knowledge. Thus the blue, white and pink teachers' groups have always found themselves locked in a psychological tussle.​

Students demanding a total ban on campus politics have their points that can hardly be challenged. If teachers, students or employees and officers feel strongly about their involvement with party politics, they should have the liberty to pursue their ambition beyond the campus. But they must forget they are political elements once they enter the campus area. At no point should their performance be influenced by their political convictions.

 

[Saif]

Can varsities break free from politics?

As the interim government is appointing Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Vice-Chancellors for public universities based on merit and broad acceptability, there is a sigh of relief and a palpable sense of hope of better things to come among students and the general public. It is seen as a significant opport

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Can varsities break free from politics?
Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Sep 25, 2024 21:40
Updated :
Sep 25, 2024 21:40

As the interim government is appointing Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Vice-Chancellors for public universities based on merit and broad acceptability, there is a sigh of relief and a palpable sense of hope of better things to come among students and the general public. It is seen as a significant opportunity to cleanse and revitalise the public institutions and restore them to their former glory as esteemed centres of learning. Many are eagerly anticipating positive changes across the board, including a more welcoming and fear-free academic atmosphere, improved living conditions in dormitories, a decisive end to toxic student and teacher politics, and an overall enhancement of educational quality.

The immediate and pressing challenge facing newly appointed university administrations is to resume the academic activities that have been suspended for about three months. Dhaka University began rolling its ball on September 22nd. Other public universities are likely to require a few more weeks to fully prepare. The prolonged suspension of academic activities raises concerns about further exacerbating the chronic session jam at universities. Some of the universities are still in a state of turmoil. To foster a conducive and productive academic environment, it is imperative to restore calm and discipline on campus.

As universities gear up to reopen, one crucial question that arises is whether to ban campus politics. In the past month or so, at least 33 higher education institutions have banned student and faculty politics on campus. The latest to join the bandwagon is Dhaka University. Last Thursday, the DU administration decided to suspend all forms of political activities by students, teachers, officers, and employees on campus until further notice.

The issue, however, remains contentious at DU, historically regarded as the cradle of democracy in Bangladesh - and deservedly so - has long been the bedrock of democratic movements, both before and after the liberation in 1971. From the Language Movement of 1952 and the War of Liberation in 1971 to the anti-autocracy movements of the 1990s and the recent July revolution that led to Sheikh Hasina's downfall, the university has consistently served as the epicenter of political movement. Considering this historic legacy, many oppose an outright ban on student and teacher politics.

Recent surveys, however, reveal widespread disillusionment with student politics.

A Dhaka University Research Society (DURS) survey found that 88 per cent of students do not consider partisan student politics important, and 95 per cent oppose political gatherings, rallies, and processions within the university. This consensus reflects the growing frustration with student politics, which most students believe undermines the academic environment rather than enriching it. The DURS survey also reveals that 81.9 per cent of students believe the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) could be an alternative to partisan politics on campus.

Most students in public universities come from poor and middle-income families who make considerable sacrifices, often-selling land or livestock, to arrange their children's education. However, over the years, too many lives have been lost on public university campuses due to the pervasive violence linked to campus politics. As a result, general students say enough is enough - it is time to free university campuses from distracting, nonsensical political activities once and for all.

While political hyper-activism by students, which often tends to overshoot the limits of normal politics, has frequently figured in public discourses, politics by teachers, which is no less disruptive of academic life, largely evaded public gaze. Politics by teachers, which breeds factionalism in their ranks, is responsible for many instances of disturbances at universities over the recruitment of VCs, Pro-VCs and other administrative positions. Political patronages of one faction to the displeasure of another often have been among the underlying causes of chaos on campus.

After liberation under the Dacca University Order, 1973, varsity teachers were granted certain political rights, which they did not enjoy under Pakistani rule. The Order under clause 56 (2) mentions that the service conditions shall be determined without any prejudice to the freedom of the teacher or officer to hold any political views and to keep association with any lawful organisation outside the University and shall be clearly stated in the contract. Before liberation progressive teachers were penalised for their views, which necessitated the new rules with explicit political rights.

Holding a political belief is not wrong. University teachers being the nation's intellectual powerhouse are expected to be keenly observant of the current political forces at work and provide unbiased guidance as necessary. The problem arises when teachers allow their personal conviction to subdue their responsibility of teaching, when their politics spills over on campus, when partisanship plays a leading role in recruiting teachers, allowing individuals with subpar academic credentials to elevate themselves through political alignment, and when the system undermines genuine intellectuals, leading to the rise in pseudo-intellectuals who shamefully support misdeeds of the ruling party.

The sacrifices made by students will only become meaningful if universities can be transformed from political battleground to centre of excellence, granted full autonomy and political considerations no longer play any role in the appointment of VC or faculty. This will empower university authorities to create a conducive atmosphere where harmony, peace, and friendship serve as the umbrella under which all students can fully immerse themselves in the pursuit of knowledge.​

 

[Saif]

Buet authorities’ notice: Students cannot join any political party, other orgs

Buet authorities have announced that students cannot be members of any political organisation, be it on campus or outside.

www.thedailystar.net

Buet authorities’ notice: Students cannot join any political party, other orgs
Decision draws flak

Buet authorities have announced that students cannot be members of any political organisation, be it on campus or outside.

The move comes nearly six months after the High Court allowed student politics on the campus.

A notice issued on Saturday by the premier engineering university read, "No student can join any political party or other organisations except for clubs or societies approved by the university."

Student leaders have urged Buet to immediately withdraw the decision, terming it undemocratic and unconstitutional.

The Buet notice says the authorities' aim is to ensure the quality of education, proper evaluation of merit, and elevate the university's status in the international academic community.

Buet academic council at a meeting on September 21 made the decision as part of its effort to reduce political activities among students, the notice signed by Buet Registrar Forkan Uddin adds.

"Students must strictly adhere to the university ordinance, and any violations will result in appropriate disciplinary action taken as per the rules of the ordinance," the statement reads.

On April 1 this year, the High Court stayed the effectiveness of the university's 2019 ban on student politics.

The stay order came in response to a writ petition filed by Buet student and Chhatra League leader Imtiaz Hossain Rahim Rabbi.

On October 7, 2019, a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League men murdered a second-year student at a dormitory. Buet banned politics after that.

Contacted yesterday, Professor Al Amin Siddiqui, director of student welfare, said, "We made the decision considering the current situation."

No students will be allowed to be members of organisations that have any form of political involvement, he added.

"For instance, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad or Doctors Association of Bangladesh are not political organisations, but they have political affiliations. Our students cannot be part of such bodies."

He said as per Section 16 of the Board of Residence and Discipline of the Buet Ordinance, students always needed permission from the Directorate of Student Welfare to be involved in a political organisation.

Talking to The Daily Star, Nasir Uddin, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, "Banning student politics is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Banned organisations will be active now. It puts many students at risk of harassment. We believe Buet students will welcome all student organisations except Chhatra League."

Mashiur Rahman Richard, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, said, "All Buet students are voters. They must be free to support any group or opinion. The administration has interfered with their freedom. They will eventually criminalise them, which will go against the spirit of the July mass-uprising."

Mahir Shahriar Reza, president of a faction of Chhatra Union, said, "We think it's an autocratic decision of the administration, a violation of constitutional rights. It is a part of a scheme to depoliticise the educational institutions."

A student of the 19th batch said, "We strongly condemn the decision and urge the authorities to change it. Otherwise, we will go to court if necessary."

Noted Supreme Court Lawyer ZI Khan Panna said, "Who gave them the right to decide what a student should do or not do outside the campus?

"We got independence because of student politics. Any adult individual can harbour any ideology. It is their constitutional right. They are not above the constitution of Bangladesh."

Anu Muhammad, former professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University, said, "To be able to do politics and express opinions is a bare minimum democratic right of a citizen. Buet authorities are behaving like a dictator."​