BCL assaults teacher, again!

Members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have, over the years, built a reputation for beating up anyone who does not agree with unethical practices by some members of their fraternity. The latest case of teacher-beating reportedly occurred at Bogra's Government Shah Sultan College where BCL activists assaulted the principal when two of its members were expelled for wanting to appear in examinations on September 11 without paying fees. That these so-called students have no compunction about misbehaving with teachers and then calling their comrades to vandalise college property and display the audacity to attack the principal merely goes to prove, once again, that political activists of this student body believe they are above the law.

Not a month goes by when we are not greeted by one act of violence or the other by members of the affiliated body of the ruling party. Student politics has by and large been violent in our country regardless of which party is in power. What we find disturbing is that these students believe that just because they belong to the ruling party, the rules do not apply to them; that all must bow to their will and if they don't, it is perfectly alright to settle the matter through violence. Regrettably, despite regular occurrences of such incidents, the party appears least concerned.

The college authority has filed a case with the police and two arrests have been made. But, unless there is serious pressure on party affiliates from their political superiors to reform and be held accountable, there is little the police can do. Without punitive action against errant and unruly cadres such behaviour will continue.