Editorial
Unrest at Khulna Medical College
The persistent ailment in the campus
It is perhaps for the umpteenth time that feuding within Bangladesh Chhatra League has led to violence at an important educational-cum-service institution of the country causing its closure sine die. The trouble originated in a commotion created centering around the return to the campus of BCL unit president and general secretary who had been expelled on allegations of toll collection and unstudentlike behaviour earlier on. Tension spread as supporters of the expelled student leaders organised a sit-in demonstration before the principal's office when the two appeared on the scene setting off clashes between the opposing groups.
Going by the statement of publicity secretary of the Chhatra League unit to a prominent Bangla daily, 'despite prohibition of student politics on the campuses, an opponent group led by joint secretary was forcing the general students to join a political rally. At least, there is a tacit recognition among some student leaders that politics needs to be shunned in the campus but whether they believe in it or merely using it as a ploy against rival students are something to be proved on the ground.
As it is, student leaders powered by proximity to local ruling party leaders engage in desperate acts of turf war to gain control over toll collection, tender business and swelling their ranks. Besides, they indulge in vandalism, drug addiction and harassing of girl students. So that there are often demands and counter demands for expulsion of leaders of feuding parties. In such a context, the administration and the police have usually played a role of mute spectators.
Both the government and the ruling party must intervene in ensuring that criminality among students does not merely evoke expulsion but punitive legal action. Otherwise, law and order, education and social peace will continue to be disrupted by wayward but pampered students at great cost of the nation.
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