Editorial
Once again, violence claims a life
Parties must discipline their young
The death of a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activist Sajib, following a violent clash with his rivals at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology is a reflection yet once again of the state of heightened tension within the ruling party student wing. The manner in which the BCL has been indulging in feuding and factional violence with a growing sense of impunity can be attributed to the ruling party turning a blind eye to the internecine conflict in its student wing and leaving it to its own devices. Although the prime minister has from time to time exhorted BCL leaderships to behave, when it came to dealing with criminality the government has been found wanting
It is time that serious efforts were expended in rolling back the tide of violence within the student community, particularly that of the BCL, which not only disturbs campus peace but also severely undermines government's credibility. Not long ago, another young man lost his life as a result of a severe assault by his rivals on the campus. Efforts are surely expected of the law enforcers, whose responsibility in such situations is to step into the scene every time there is violence or intimations of it. All too often, the picture has been one of the police being silent spectators until actual violence has taken place.
By far the bigger responsibility of keeping violent young people on a leash is that of the political party. It is imperative for the ruling party to pull up the organization across the board and send out the strong message that it means to be firm with its young followers as well as with anyone else who makes a mockery of the law. The ruling party cannot afford to squander its present and its future through the hooliganism of the young.
Meanwhile, let the police get into action and see to it that those who took Sajib's promising life are swiftly apprehended and punished. Only that can restore normality and make it possible for a reopening of Ruet at the earliest.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments