Student politics is meant to introduce our youth into the political process in order to prepare them as future leaders -- it is meant to teach them about active constructive, engagement in the democratic process.
Which is why it is all the more disappointing that the very concept of student politics has now been perverted into yet another appeal to tribalism with the proliferation of student wings from practically every political party, groups which often engage in frequent bouts of violence throughout the nation.
The recent instance of violent infighting within the ruling party's student wing breaking out at Chittagong University is yet another reminder that the situation with student politics is likely not going to change anytime soon. On Friday, an altercation among the supporters of Bijoy Group and VX Group began over a petty dispute which ultimately devolved into a violent altercation involving sharp weapons.
These are the same people who have announced plans of forming committees within our private universities.
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 is because, in Bangladesh, the student wings have become nothing more than a group of thugs called upon by the parties to prop-up, and add strength to, the destructive political processes they seem to favour.
Clearly sweeping changes are the need of the hour, not just within our student wings but in the entire concept of student politics. We cannot sweep this under the rug anymore.
