Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday said that every university must have its own code of conduct to regulate student politics.
"Any university must have its own code of conduct, as every student has a political identity. An educational institution should establish a code of conduct that encompasses national, societal, and other related matters," he said.
The adviser made this statement in response to a question during a press briefing on the recently submitted report of a task force aimed at developing strategies to boost the economy and mobilize resources for equitable and sustainable development.
The briefing was held at the NEC conference room in the planning ministry.
Dr KAS Murshid, former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), led the 12-member task force, which was formed last September.
The education adviser mentioned that universities like Cambridge and Oxford, as well as others around the world, have their own codes of conduct.
"Such a code may not be feasible in our country," he said.
The task force's report recommends that all public and private universities impose a complete ban on on-campus student politics.
In response to a question, task force chief Dr KAS Murshid explained that they believed traditional student politics should come to an end after 50 years.
"The task force does not believe we have benefited much from student politics," he said, even though the current interim government, which formed this task force, is a result of student politics.
He pointed out that student politics has transformed many on-campus issues into crude economic corruption.
"We often see this happening. So, why should such a space exist? Does any civilized country, outside of South Asia, have this?" he asked.
However, he clarified that they did not believe student politics itself is inherently bad. "What we are against is student politics aligned with national parties. This must be taken seriously," he said.
The former BIDS chief emphasized that student politics must remain, as students should voice their opinions, engage in activism on social and political issues, and play an active, positive role.
"They will come forward for the country; that is natural. But for this to happen, space must be created. We need to rethink what that space means. Does it mean Shahbagh and Mohakhali?" he questioned.
He added that this issue must be addressed now. "We can discuss this during the current interim government; we could not do this in the past. If we don't address it now, then when will we?" he asked.
