'If a student wing identifies wrongdoers then it is doing the right thing' -- Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddque

Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddque, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University talks to The Daily Star about the recent spurt of violent activities by the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

The Daily Star (TDS): BCL has come under strong criticism for some of its activities on university campuses. What is your administration's view regarding such destructive behaviour, especially on DU campus?

Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique (AS): Dhaka University hasn't been closed or its exams halted even for a single day over the last six years, which only goes to prove the commitment of the administration, students and teachers. I have noticed the dedication of members and students of different student wings, who are also DU students, in this regard. Some disconnected incidents do take place, for instance what happened at Shahidullah Hall. But we have identified the culprits and have suspended them temporarily. When we get complaints about our students, the administration doesn't care which party the student belongs to and we maintain academic discipline if and when needed. When there are 35,000 students on a campus, from different backgrounds, conflicts are bound to happen from time to time, but we try to minimise and control such actions.

TDS: The incident at Shaheed Minar, when some students refused to listen to the Proctor and behaved in a disgraceful manner, raises the question: are these students more powerful than the administration itself?

AS: We have to think about the overall situation of the country; a university is not detached from it. For instance, for the last couple of days, some students who could not pass the entrance exam are sitting at the Shaheed Minar. They, too, are getting encouragement. What can we do about it? Some incidents take place that cannot be addressed immediately. For instance, as I mentioned, when you go to the Shaheed Minar, you will see students who don't have permission and they are fasting even though the High Court states one cannot fast there.

TDS: Reports state that the students protesting that day at the Shaheed Minar were BCL members.

AS: As I said before, whether or not someone is a BCL member is irrelevant to the administration. Many BCL members have been punished for their misbehaviour and even expelled.

TDS: It is reported that the administration only punishes those that BCL identifies as guilty, often without conducting an investigation. Is there any truth in the matter?

AS: I have not read the said report, but if a student's wing identifies wrongdoers then it is doing the right thing. It is only natural that these wrongdoers would then be punished by the administration. We sometimes make decisions without an investigation when victims come and complain, for example, when Sharmin Murshid and her family came and reported the attack.

TDS: Reportedly,  BCL members attacked aspiring candidates protesting the university's decision to disallow them from appearing twice in entry exams...

AS: This is totally false; it is propaganda. Shibir members were involved in this because they wanted to disturb the peace and sanctity of the campus. We made the decision on the entry exams to ensure fairness for all students. Both the protesting groups as well as the attackers were backed by Shibir. It is a conspiracy on their part to destabilise the campus.

TDS: For a long time we have noticed that there is almost a parallel power structure (to the administration) in most universities, whereby student wings, particularly the reigning student wing, exerts tremendous control over many aspects of the university, from enrolling in courses to getting seats in halls. What are your thoughts on this?

AS: This is not applicable to Dhaka University. Hundreds of crores of taka are allocated every year and are being disbursed and work taking place without any trouble. How? Because the allegation that student leaders come and extort from us is not applicable to D at all. There are student wings in every hall but it is the hall administration, under the provost, which runs and manages the affairs of the hall, not the student wings. I don't know about other universities, but we cannot judge DU on the same basis.

TDS: As an educationist, do you think it is fair to give BCL activists privilege in public service exams, as stated by PM's Advisor H.T. Imam?

AS: I believe that DU students can go anywhere, give any examinations and come out with flying colours. They are the best of the best, they don't need special treatment.