Suspension of students a farce
THE decision by Bangladesh Agriculture University syndicate to expel three students and suspend three others in connection with the murder of a final year student has left us dumbfounded. The suspension of two students is a mere slap on the wrist given the gravity of the charges they face. That a public university's highest decision-making body continues to give the impression of cowering in the face of mounting pressure by Bangladesh Chatra League speaks volumes of the level of autonomy supposedly enjoyed by the syndicate.
The continued agitation of the general body of students against the decision of the syndicate is understandable, given the grievous circumstances. Temporary suspension of students connected to a murder rap is seen as an attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet. What appears to escape the university authorities is that letting the accused in a murder case off with such light sentence only encourages such brutal behaviour to be perpetuated in future.
The decision has left the university a house divided. A section of teachers have called for a reconstituted probe committee and the resignation of some teachers for negligence of duty. What is there to stop a fresh attack on ordinary students who demand justice for their fellow students who has met with such a gruesome end? Will the syndicate take responsibility for a future incident like the murder of April 1, or will we see more of such feeble attempts to give shelter to minions of the high and mighty?
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