Tensions escalate at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as students continue their protest against the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)’s presence on campus. In a stark contrast of agendas, the BCL, the student wing of the ruling party, has called for a protest rally at the Central Shaheed Minar on March 31 at 11 am, demanding the reinstatement of student politics at BUET.
This development follows a series of protests by BUET students in front of the university’s Shaheed Minar, marking a significant unrest against the attempted re-entry of BCL leaders on campus. The university community is still in turmoil over the tragic murder of Abrar Fahad in 2019, an event that led to the banishment of student politics from campus due to its association with violence and coercion.
In a reactionary move to the students’ protest, BUET authorities have annulled the dormitory allotment of Imtiaz Rabbi, a Civil Engineering student and a notable figure within the BCL. Furthermore, the institution announced the formation of a committee aimed at investigating the incident, promising actions aligned with the university’s regulations upon the committee’s findings.
The BCL has criticized the university’s decision to revoke Rabbi’s dormitory seat, asserting it as an infringement of constitutional rights to association. They argue that the BUET administration’s actions against student politics are “illegal and unconstitutional,” citing the Engineering and Technological University Ordinance, 1961, which does not expressly forbid student politics.
Amid the backdrop of Abrar Fahad’s murder and subsequent sentencing of involved BCL members, the students’ community at BUET has expressed a staunch opposition to the revival of student politics on campus. The incident, characterized by brutal violence, highlighted the pernicious effects of politically fueled aggression and dominance within educational settings. The collective student body has since sought a campus environment devoid of political influences, prioritizing safety and academic integrity over partisan activities.
The situation at BUET reflects broader discussions on the role and implications of student politics within academic institutions. While the university administration and students seek to uphold a politics-free educational atmosphere, the BCL’s recent movements indicate a persistent push towards reintroducing political activities on campus.
As the BCL prepares for its protest rally, the BUET student community stands firm in its resistance, advocating for a campus that remains focused on education rather than political contention. The outcome of these parallel demonstrations will likely have lasting implications for the culture and governance of student activities at BUET and potentially other universities across Bangladesh.
