There is no denying the rich history of student politics that has existed in Bangladesh, from even before we were an independent nation. Many of our most prominent leaders, chief of which, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, first found their voice as student leaders.
However, of late, we have unfortunately come to the point where we need to reevaluate the role of student politics.
The recent incident in Chittagong University, where a journalist was allegedly assaulted after his refusal to attend the birthday party of one of the organization members, is a grim reminder that we have steered far away from the ideals that once governed our student politics.
Over the years, it would not be an exaggeration to say that student wings of all political parties -- be they students from the ruling party with their impunity and disregard for authority or those of the opposition defying laws and regulations -- have simply not behaved or acted as leaders who can take the mantle of national politics.
Indeed, when student politics shows no regard for university authorities and implements its own power structures, it adversely impact the academic environment of the institutions and it is students who ultimately suffer.
This cannot be allowed to happen, especially as our education suffers enough from a myriad of other issues.
Private universities were, in a way, created to bypass the kind of student politics which currently plague their public equivalents -- this incident is yet another reminder that introducing student politics into these institutions would see the entire ecosystem collapse, and steady momentum through which private universities are building themselves up will be obstructed.
While it is encouraging that the minister for education has left the decision of including student politics in private universities to the respective universities, we must evaluate the overall impact student political wings are having on the nation and question whether they truly are making a positive impact.
Ultimately, our political parties need to adopt a new stance, where they allow students to practice autonomously, under the rule of law, so they can develop into the future leaders and citizens the country so desperately needs. As it stands however, when it comes to our universities, it appears what we need is less politics, not more.
