Student Politics: Dhaka University Violence, January 18, 2010

As a student of political science, I would like to say something about politics. Last 18th January, One top political leader´s clashes in Dhaka University and at least 25 people injured. They fired some 50 rounds of bullet and exploded 20 hand-made bombs in a sharp reminder of the violence-plagued days of DU. Police can´t control this situation. When I heard this news I became so upset. Is it politics? We know that Student Politics had a glorious history in the movement of 1952 and 1971, during this period student politics played a pivotal role and could fulfill the hopes and expectations of the nation. The people were hopeful that the power of the youth would bring peace and prosperity for the nation.

But after 1971 student politics changed drastically. Arms and muscle power became the determining factors in student politics. It also grew the culture of showing intolerance towards opposition. The situation became so worse that members of one party didn't hesitate to injure or even murder the members of another one. Even it was found that classmates were killing their classmates. Other immoral practices like raping, harassing sexually, hijacking, pick pocketing etc became so common that the whole student politics became polluted. And the same culture is continuing generation after generation and there is not sign or hope of even slightest improvement. Thus it has become a giant ghost for the nation.

Our politician thought that if they use this youth power for their own interest (for example to destroy opposite, kill, loot, hijack tenders etc), it would be easier for them to achieve political gain. So all political parties are liable for its continuation, especially all political parties while they are in power have contributed greatly to the severe degradation of student politics. And that´s why Bad and dishonest student are becoming the leader of these organizations and they are becoming the illegal source of power for major political parties.

But isn´t time to change? I hope all political parties should responsible about our country, about our nation. Student politics are not for terrorism. It should be reformed. Our civil societies, common people should play a vital role to save the student politics and lead our young resources in a main stream. They should not be used as bait for any political parties to fulfill their amoral political agenda.