Restore Sanity at Shahjalal University

Monday's meeting between the education minister and the authorities of Shahjalal University of Engineering & Technology highlighted a disquieting reality: the situation still remains tense at the university and the teachers, especially ones on the syndicate, are in fear of mortal danger. Evidently, nothing much has changed ever since the controversy over the naming of some academic and administrative buildings at the university took violent proportions. As it now stands, the entire town of Sylhet, not only the university campus, is held hostage by the belligerent students and political activists opposing the syndicate decision. With the pro-decision activists drumming up public support in their favour through signature campaign and erection of the Mukta Pratibad Manch (open stage for protestation), the end of bellicosity and violence looks highly unlikely. Restoration of sanity at the Shahjalal University and resumption of normal academic activities thereby remains a far cry. More importantly, future of general students in their thousands hangs in balance.

As we have commented in an earlier editorial, the position taken against the syndicate decision is doubly disquieting. Firstly, it undermines the authority of the syndicate and secondly, and disturbingly, it smacks of anti-liberation sentiments. Also, death threats issued to the syndicate members bore, in our view, a resemblance with the evil design of the marauding forces in 1971 to extinguish the spirit and ideal of the War of Liberation. By extending their support to and joining hands with the protesters, the mainstream opposition parties have not only made the situation worse but also tarnished their own image and raised a question over their political agenda.

We demand an immediate end to the standoff and request the authorities to force the violence-mongers to back off. The government should take it as a breach of law and order and political parties should refrain from adding political colour to the issue. Overall, we want sanity restored to the university and academic activities resumed.