AL 'zero tolerance' of BCL criminality
Seeing is believing
The 64th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League should have been an occasion for celebration considering the significant role the organisation has played in Bangladesh's history. Unfortunately, much of the joy was marred by the sudden surge in unlawful, indeed criminal activities by BCL activists at higher educational institutions across the country. At Buet, Jagannath University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, BCL men went on a rampage without any thought to the consequences. In Satkhira, the two top leaders of the BCL unit there have been accused by an artiste of attempting to rape her. One of the men is on the run. The Awami League has now informed the country that there will be zero tolerance over any wrong committed by the BCL.
We should have been pleased by such a decision. To our regret, we have to say that we cannot rest content with ruling party people trying to pacify citizens with platitudes and clichés any more. We recall that soon after the present government assumed office in early 2009, BCL activists indulged in activities similar to those it has lately been committing. At the time, some leading newspapers warned the prime minister that these unruly elements needed to be brought under control. The warning was not heeded. Worse, to the nation's discomfiture, the prime minister took umbrage at the suggestion. Today, three years after the AL's ascension to power, we can safely suggest that had that warning about the BCL been taken in good spirit, the criticism that the government faces today would not be there.
Senior AL leaders speak once more of zero tolerance. That is not good enough. The nation will not be satisfied with a mere expulsion or suspension of membership of the offending BCL men. People have always expected that the BCL men will be dealt with by the law for their criminal activities. The party may warn them and so let them off the hook. But unless justice is fully applied in these cases of criminal conduct, zero tolerance for the nation will actually mean zero action on the part of the authorities.
It is time for the ruling party to acknowledge realities as evidenced by the many opinion polls over the past few days. The government must convince the nation that it can and will take action against its own. But it can do so only when it wakes up. Will it wake up, now that it has a mere two years to pull itself away from the brink?
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