Editorial
Dealing with unruly students
Why must the police prepare lists?
WITH student politics degenerating into a pursuit that makes its hardly distinguishable from criminal activity, it was expected that the government would do something about it. However, it is not clear why Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been asked to prepare what it calls a list of 'unruly' students. Obviously, it is not the law enforcers' job to draw up lists, if they did so it is bound to be biased. Basically it is the university or college authorities which should identify and if necessary expel the students whose presence in the academic arena may be regarded as undesirable.
There is no way that the major political parties would disown the unruly students as long as they claim to represent this or that party, although we would have liked them to do it. The parties appear to be trying to evade the job of reining in their student activists responsible for all kinds of violent activities and placing the responsibility at the doorstep of the police with grave risks of partisan listing. The parties claim that the student outfits are now working on their own, but certain developments do suggest that they derive strength from their parent organisation.
Another point that the decision-makers must not miss is that armed hooligans and murderers cannot simply be termed unruly students. The DMP can find out how many hardened criminals have infiltrated into the academic arena but these rank outsiders should not be treated as students.
The hall authorities have to keep track of the goings-on and it is their duty not to allow outsiders to occupy seats in halls. The allegation that students with party affiliation take control of halls only reconfirm the unpalatable truth that it is the political parties which are responsible for the chaotic situation prevailing in colleges and universities.
If the government really wants to rely on the law and order approach, it has to ensure two things. First, political interference by the ruling party members must be prevented, as it will make it difficult for the law enforcers to act neutrally. Secondly, all the criminals will have to be brought to justice, regardless of their party identity. There should be a clear-cut policy and a strong resolve that no innocent student will be victimised. Whatever is done, it must not be reduced to a police operation in which the college or university authorities will have no say.
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