Amid the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) we asked students and a Buet alumnus about their views on politics on campus. Here are some of the responses. A lot of the students preferred not to be named citing security reasons.
I firmly believe that student politics should be banned in Buet. There is no need for student organisations like the Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Front, Chhatra Shibir – none of them. Let us create a two-column table. On the left, list the positive changes that the presence of student politics has brought to Buet, and on the right, list the sufferings the students, teachers, and administration have gone through because of student politics. The weight of just one name on the right side, be it Abrar, Sony, or Dip, is much heavier than the combined weight of the left side.
– Chamok Hasan, an alumnus of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and popular media personality.
The wound from the brutal murder of our dear junior, Abrar, from our department, has not yet healed. From my experiences talking to juniors, I can say that after the incident of Abrar’s murder when student politics was banned, the general students were, and have been, much more at peace. There’s no justification for bringing that hell back.
There is no logic to the claim that Shibir will strengthen their presence on campus in the absense of Chhatra League.
No student politics means no activities from any organisation. No Chhatra League, no Shibir. The general students will resist everyone. Seeing the resistance put on by my juniors gave me assurance.
Hats off to those who remained united and boycotted the exams in protest of the move to resume political activities on campus.
Politics shouldn’t exist because it’s meaningless and literally no one doing politics cares about the next generation.
– Anonymous, BBA, NSU
Student politics on campus has detrimental effects on the overall university experience. The divisive nature of these activities often leads to conflict and fights among students. They become indulged and entangled in power struggles and rivalries, ultimately hindering their academic and personal development. It’s imperative to foster an environment where students can thrive academically and socially without the distractions of unnecessary practices revolving around political power dynamics.
– Najmus Sakib, Department of Marketing, Jahangirnagar University
Reputed institutions across the globe don’t have student organisations involved in full-time politics, which ensures that students are solely dedicated to academic pursuits, skill building and community work. A campus free from power dynamics will have accountability and fairness.
– Anonymous, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
As German playwright Bertolt Brecht said, everything from the price of fish to the nuisance of prostitution is determined by politics. So, I believe being politically conscious is an integral part of being a citizen and a student as well. However, I won’t support politically party-led organizations on campus since there is a history of revenge and misuse of power, and under the shade of the present ruling party, allied organizations seem to be monsters. But I do support internal student organizations that work for students’ rights and practice democracy on campus. What BUET students demanded seems right to me because they found three corpses in different regimes. They are totally terrified.
– Munna Gibran, University of Chittagong
There’s nothing wrong with the term “student politics.” However, the issue lies with those who engage in it unethically. Student politics should serve the well-being of students on campus. Unfortunately, recent examples demonstrate the influence of national political parties on student groups, manipulating them for their own agendas. I strongly support the stance of BUET’s general student body in calling for a ban on campus politics.
– Durjoy Bhowmick, University of Chittagong
Student politics can play a powerful role in making sure that the students’ voices are heard, and issues such as campus safety, affordable housing, student friendly academic policies are addressed. In the past, it took the forefront in our country’s major movements as well.
– Ahallya Padmoja, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Regrettably, at present, practicing healthy student politics that’ll truly uphold the students’ concerns is not possible. In my opinion, student politics is now only a skeleton of its glorious past, and will inevitably be used as a tool to maintain control and influence by the ruling regime, propagating a culture of bullying and fear.
If you ask me whether there should be student politics in the environment where the educated and talented youth of the country have come to enrich their knowledge in a large platform like a university?
– Anonymous, Department of Accounting, University of Dhaka
I would say yes, definitely there should be student politics in universities. Now ask me, how should this politics be?
Student politics should be only in the interests of the students in the university, or in the society or in the country in order to get proper education, facilities and rights. At present, the student politics is being developed only around some particular central groups or phenomenons. As a result, the followers of the ruling community continue to use their power and tagline for their own interests. On the other hand, the main goal of the opposition followers is to oppose the ruling party no matter if they are doing good or bad. By doing this, chaos is constantly being created in the student community, in a sacred place like a university. So, student politics is definitely needed for the betterment of students, but it should not be influenced by any particular national political groups or individuals.
I think there is a need for student politics. To understand the country’s governance system, to learn leadership the practice of politics should be started from university level. Therefore, it is very natural, logical and desirable to have ideal political practices among them. In our country, the political situation and political practice are very complicated and unexpected. I don’t think ideal politics is practiced here. The purpose of politics doesn’t mean the harassment of students, ragging, or abuse of power. Bangladesh is a democratic country. This democracy means the spontaneous and fair participation of the people in politics. Now if the students are not entitled to express their opinions because of politics, then there is a problem in this politics. I am against lifting the ban on Buet, because I don’t think we follow the correct and ideal political practices in our country. So political practice in any university of Bangladesh means fear of ordinary students and abuse of power by the powerful.
– Anonymous, Global Studies and Governance department, Independent University, Bangladesh
In my view student politics has lost its appeal both from the students and masses. As most of the country’s universities have failed to continue student council elections for decades, there remains no scope of accountability. This lack of accountability in my view has contributed the most in the qualitative decline of student politics and it’s leaders.
– Rezwan Ahmed Rifat, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
I’m currently in my third year at Jahangirnagar University and living in the campus has given me a firsthand look at the negative aspects of campus politics. I strongly believe that the current state of student politics must come to an end. It often prioritises the agendas of political parties over the welfare of students. Therefore, I support student politics centered around a student council, independent from any external political influence. Such an approach would only concentrate on improving the campus and promoting the well-being of students, without serving the interests of any individual or political party.
– Tashin Abdullah, accounting and information systems, Jahangirnagar University
Politics is a right of students. If someone wants to be involved in politics then it is their personal choice. And it is also their choice not to get involved. Unfortunately, if one wants a smooth and hassle-free life in a university then he/she must involve themselves with politics. Even students are forced to be politically active. This turns politics into harassment. Though there are many good sides of being politically involved, the bad sides are far more severe. Students intentionally fail in exams several times to keep the spot in their university halls and to have a political career. This might be that particular student’s choice but it affects others. This is one of the reasons why freshers living in halls have to sleep in a 2 feet span on the floor. Besides, students face ragging by the name of “Guest room”. Even authorities take no steps because of political influence and lack of resistance. Even many faculties are biased to students who support his/ her favorable party. For these reasons, I view politics as a pathetic part of a university students’ life. But I will suggest students to do politics. If politics is providing you advantages in your university life, then why not?
– Anonymous, Department of Marketing, University of Dhaka
Although I am not directly involved in politics, I hold a positive view on student politics. As Bangladesh has a rich history of student activism dating back to the period preceding our independence, from the Bengali Language Movement to the Independence War, student politics played a pivotal and pioneering role in major movements, I believe that student politics on campus offers a platform for young voices to advocate for their rights as well as those of the general populace, are upheld and drive positive change. It serves as a training ground for future leaders to utilize their knowledge, innovation and energy for national progress. Bangladesh Student League, the first student politics platform of Bangladesh, can be a good example as a star student politics platform for its pivotal role in major movements of our country and driving changes from then East Pakistan to today’s Bangladesh.
– Musaddik Hussain, Accounting and Information Systems, Jahangirnagar University
I think student politics should be allowed in universities but not in schools and colleges. Even if it is allowed in universities it should be controlled by the university authorities rather than the authorities being controlled by it.
– Anonymous, University of Chittagong
Student politics, in my opinion, has negative implications for students’ educational journeys as it can foster pride, arrogance, corruption, and misuse of power. Additionally, it may hinder their long-term academic pursuits. Therefore, I believe that student politics, particularly in the context of Bangladeshi student politics, is detrimental. My stance on the recent lifting of the ban on politics in Buet opposes it. Given the tragic incident involving Abrar Fahad, I don’t think the ban should have been lifted. It’s evident that students abused their power, resulting in the loss of an innocent life. Hence, the court’s decision to remove the ban seems unjustified.
– Anonymous, BBA, Independent University, Bangladesh
Everything is good when it is within limitations. Anything beyond limitation isn’t good. Likewise, student politics is good as it teaches students leadership and enhances their networking skills. But every good thing comes with an evil. We have seen the consequences of student politics earlier also. The guest room system wouldn’t have existed if not for student politics. This guest room system ruins so many students’ mental health and academic results. So many students have been dragged into politics even if they are not interested in it. This shows that not everyone can handle power and power shouldn’t be in everyone’s hands.
– Anonymous, Department of Finance, University of Dhaka
I think there is a need for student politics. To understand the country’s governance system, to learn leadership the practice of politics should be started from university level. Therefore, it is very natural, logical and desirable to have ideal political practices among them. In our country, the political situation and political practice are very complicated and unexpected. I don’t think ideal politics is practiced here. The purpose of politics doesn’t mean the harassment of students, ragging, or abuse of power. Bangladesh is a democratic country. This democracy means the spontaneous and fair participation of the people in politics. Now if the students are not entitled to express their opinions because of politics, then there is a problem in this politics. I am against lifting the ban on Buet, because I don’t think we follow the correct and ideal political practices in our country. So political practice in any university of Bangladesh means fear of ordinary students and abuse of power by the powerful.
– Anonymous, Global Studies and Governance department, Independent University, Bangladesh
Student politics is entirely narcissistic in our country. Most students who get involved either they want benefits or power. It is never associated with the well-being of the students as a mass. Only a handful of people are benefited. Ragging culture comes hand in hand with the politics. It is given that an educational institution needs no politics in it. So far in my campus life I haven’t seen any benefits of student politics. It is a complete nuisance and malpractice. It only gives birth to unnecessary drama and chaos which I’ve encountered several times only in a span of 1.3 years. The students who benefit from these organisations learn how to deceive others, curtail others’ rights and misuse their power. Male students barely get access to halls, they’re not given their rightful seat if they’re not willing to associate with politics. Which doesn’t make sense since they’ve the full right to be accommodated but the malpractice goes on due to the presence of politics.
– Anonymous, Department of Textile Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology