Editorial
DU students on rampage
Is it becoming of them?
Dhaka University campus was the scene of utter disorder last Thursday with rampaging students setting two cars on fire and damaging 25 other vehicles. The vandalism followed an accident in which a colleague of theirs was knocked over and injured by a car driven by a learner who happened to be a student too. One of the two cars set ablaze was involved in the accident. Needless to say, the ensuing situation resulted in serious dislocation of movement of people and severe traffic snarl up in the area for a long time. This is not the first time that accidents have occurred inside the Dhaka University area.
It is a matter of satisfaction that the injury is not serious, and the student is reportedly out of danger. But what followed the accident can hardly be explained as anything sensible. While we fully understand the emotion of the students caused by the news of the accident, we can hardly rationalise their reaction.
It is not becoming of students belonging to the highest seat of learning in the country to behave in that fashion. Even those vehicles that were not involved in the accident did not escape their wrath. The implication of such a rash act cannot be lost on those that we consider to be the future leaders of the country.
What is also unacceptable is car accident inside the campus. In June 2009, wife of a university teacher was killed after being knocked down by an errant driver in almost the same area, and in that instance too the person driving the car happened to be a trainee driver. And a TSC employee was killed after being run over by a car in that area very recently. We fail to understand why the campus roads should continue to be used by trainee drivers and that too during the peak hours of the university, in spite of the fact that learner cars have been prohibited by the university authorities since 2009.
It is, however, good to note that the university administration, police and student leaders made a concerted effort to calm down the agitated students. This is where we think lies the potential to prevent untoward incidents from happening i.e. through joint efforts by university administration and student leaders.
We see that there are speed breakers at various points of the roads inside the university area, and the roads are off limits to heavy vehicles but there should be stricter oversight, more so to discourage those trying their hands at the wheels newly, to use the university area to perfect their skills. As it is, vehicles using the campus roads should drive even more cautiously than otherwise. It is unacceptable that students should fall victims to rash driving inside the campus.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
4 hour(s) ago
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Comments