Withdraw cases against Dhaka University teachers, students
THE demand for withdrawing the cases against the honourable teachers of the University of Dhaka has been growing progressively. According to the news media, most of the eyewitnesses of those cases have not given specific testimony against the accused teachers before the court. We believe, on good faith, that the government will not appeal to the higher court if the teachers are released by the court.
On the other hand, if the teachers are convicted and seek mercy from the president the government will expedite the process. But it is apparent that the accused teachers and their families will not look for bail or mercy from the government.
The accused teachers are extremely confident that they did not violate the Emergency Power Act (EPA) throughout the August 2007, events on the Dhaka University campus.
If, for the sake of argument, we say that their statements to the different TV channels, or speeches in the Shahid Minar premises, were considered as breach of Emergency Power Act, it is also true that there are lots of instances of violation of EPA where the government remained silent or ignored the matter. For example, recently a report has published in different newspapers on a meeting of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) held in Naraynaganj violating the emergency, as indoor politics is banned outside Dhaka. The same man went to Manikgonj with a large motorcade to distribute relief to the flood victims.
We also observed that when some people held a meeting against Prothom Alo in Dhaka, the government did not do anything. The former general secretary of BNP, Abdul Mannan Bhuyian, held a meeting in the parking area of his house using microphones, which is also barred according to the emergency rules. Sadly the government decided to punish the university teachers, the most esteemed segment, and opinion leaders, of society. This type of twofold application of emergency rules has received much criticism.
It is heartening that the government has heard the voice of the nation and reshuffled the advisory council, replacing a number of advisors. We were shocked to hear some previous advisors talking maliciously about the university teachers. Therefore, at this moment, it is time to begin with new enthusiasm with new advisors. The government should understand that the they are human beings, not angels. There is every possibility of making a mistake, as well as correcting it.
The University of Dhaka is the conscience of Bangladesh, and has played a significant role in all great achievements of our country. We trust that the high executives, some of whom were also DU teachers, are very much conscious of the fact.
Irrespective of all sorts of divisions, the teachers and students are gathering under a single umbrella. It is high time for the government to comprehend the pulse of Dhaka University. The time is indeed opportune to free the teachers and students of Dhaka University unconditionally, and withdrawing the cases could be an excellent resolution of the issue.
There is scope in the existing criminal laws for withdrawing case during the trial. We can categorically declare that the government will be benefited, and regain its trustworthiness and image, like it was in 1/11. The call by the chief adviser of the caretaker government for generating a knowledge-based society can, thus, be heeded.
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