Unedifying and unwanted

Time and time again, we have seen BCL members and leaders wreak havoc on our university campuses, hurting innocents. Violence does not belong at a place of learning, no matter what the provocation, and it is a matter of extreme regret that an attack launched by student activists in the Dhaka University campus caused grave injuries to 30 students, with 10 currently in critical condition. In the first place, it was wrong of students to besiege the vice chancellor’s office -- this is not the way to resolve conflict, and issuing threats to the VC or physically blocking his path cannot in any way be condoned. But for the activists to inflict physical harm upon students under the pretense of rescuing the VC cannot be excused, especially considering that they launched their assault after escorting the VC back to his room. Many protesters, including women, were assaulted with rods and sticks, according to witnesses -- do these acts not disqualify BCL from claiming any moral high ground in the matter? Dhaka University is the oldest university in the country, and student groups have a rich history of leading the nation towards progress. But today, these student groups are largely associated with violence and hooliganism, and little is being done to rein them in. With the election coming up, it is imperative that the ruling party remain mindful of what is done in its name, and come down hard on these elements that perpetuate violence in the name of politics. The rule of law needs to be enforced inside and outside university campuses, and disagreements should be settled in a civilized manner -- assaulting the public is never acceptable.