Introduction of BCL politics in pvt university rattles students

Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Students, guardians and private university authorities have expressed grave concern over the intrusion of student politics on their campuses fearing that it will hinder the smooth academic and administration functions.
Though the Private University Act, 2010 has not mentioned anything about the student politics in the private universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex body of the universities, also believe that it might create problems.
The UGC also said that when a student body would get access to the private university, it will ultimately open the flood gate of politics for other student bodies.
The apex body, however, said that the entry of student politics in the private universities solely depends on their decision.
Meanwhile, a number of students of some private universities told this correspondent that they preferred private universities to others because these campuses are free of student politics and they can complete their academic session in time.
“I don’t like students’ politics because I see the bad political culture full of violence without caring about the education,” Anik, a student of Daffodil International University, preferring anonymity said.
“If students’ politics are exercised in the private universities, it will jeopardise our educational life,” he added.
The students’ politics in the private universities came to the limelight of discussion when the Bangladesh Chhatra League reportedly formed committees at different private universities including North South University, BRAC University, Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), East West University, and many others.
Such committees were also formed at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Stamford University, Daffodil International University (DIU), Prime University (PU), International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Ishakha International University Bangladesh (IIUB-Kishoreganj), Cox’s Bazar International University (CBIU), North Bengal International University (NBIU-Rajshahi), and Varendra University (VU-Rajshahi).
Zahid Hossen Parvez, president of Shammilito Private University unit of BCL, recently posted several posts from his personal
Facebook account regarding the formation of the new committees of the country’s private universities signed by him and Md Azizul Hakim Samrat, general secretary of Shammilito Private University unit of BCL.
Soon after such an open announcement, the authorities of the private universities were shocked and started issuing circulars saying that their campuses are free of students’ politics.
“Our campus is a non-political institution. Students, teachers and officials have been requested to follow AIUB’s code of conduct including ban on political activities and political parties inside the campus,” AIUB said.
“Prior permission is required for the formation of any organisation. It is not allowed to use the university name and logo in any programme and organisation. It will be deemed as an offence for the violation of the code of conduct and rustication may be applied,” it added.
BRAC University through their e-mail has informed their students: “The University does not support any political club or organisation. Any member of the university has the freedom to be included in any organization outside the campus. None can use its logo without permission.”
 Daffodil University said, “We have a number of clubs. It does not support any political club or organisation.”
But the Private University authorities said that the announcement of the Chhatra League committee which is a student body of the ruling Awami League has pushed them into trouble.
They said if any organisation gets entry inside a private university, it will ultimately open the gate for other student bodies of various political parties and the total academic ambience will crumble.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Monday said that the starting of students’ politics on campus depends on the consent of the educational institutions and the political parties. The education ministry has nothing to do here.
“If we want a society based on democracy, political consciousness has no alternative. Whether there will be party politics on campus or not, the students and university will decide. But we should also consider if a normal process is banned, it does not bear good results,” she added.