BCL at it again
No space for critical views
Ducsu Vice President Nurul Haque Nur and at least 27 of his supporters were once again attacked by members of Bangladesh Chhatra League and the so-called Muktijuddho Moncho (mostly comprised of BCL men). This is not the first time they have attacked the Ducsu VP. Only on December 17, a faction of the Moncho also attacked and injured at least 15 people, including Nur. On December 4, another of its factions padlocked Nur's office and demanded his resignation. And even before that, Nur and his supporters were attacked by BCL men on numerous occasions, without any serious pushback from its parent party, the ruling Awami League.
The attacks were always based on flimsy excuses. And this time it is no different. The allegation against Nur was that he had brought "outsiders" into the Dhaka University campus. But is it BCL's remit to address any breach of DU rules? There is the proctor who can take action in such a case. Who authorised the BCL to address any breach of regulation, that too by breaking the law and brutally attacking students?
The attack on Nur's supporters was so brutal that several of the victims had to be hospitalised, with one of them currently languishing in the Intensive Care Unit, fighting for his life. BCL cadres appear to be impervious to all admonition and even pressure. Despite the brutal murder of Abrar Fahad and the nationwide protests against BCL activities afterwards, it seems they have learned nothing from it. Their dislike for dissent has crossed all boundaries. And Nur is facing so much of BCL's wrath as he happens to be the lone dissenter.
The prime minister has reportedly given instruction to take organisational and administrative actions against the attackers. And we hope this time those responsible for such reprehensible action are indeed held to account for their criminal behaviour.
At the end of the day, it is the image of the ruling party that gets tarnished due to the recurrence of such events, not its ancillaries. It is quite clear that Nur has had a target on his back from the very beginning, and it's about time this targeting stopped.