In a positive development, 1,700 BCS aspirants, who engaged in protests and riots in the capital’s Shahbagh area, were charged under the Bangladesh Penal Code.
We believe that the protesters have very real concerns and agree that the quota system that is in place for BCS recruitment is not ideal, and should be rethought, if not scrapped entirely.
But their distress with regard to the situation does not act as an excuse for them to engage in disruptive activities. It is also ironic that these individuals who aspire to be civil servants, would cause so much public suffering, instead of trying to find a more constructive way of seeking redress for their grievances.
Vandalism of university property, violent retaliation against law enforcers, and the creation of serious traffic problems in the city cannot be overlooked.
This sends a clear message that the rule of law must be upheld and that no one is allowed to engage in illegal activities despite the grievances they may harbour.
We now hope that similar action is taken against the ruling party student cadres who also engaged in the clashes with the protestors.
After all, if the law is to be upheld, it must apply equally to everyone.