When will we learn to respect our teachers?

Aminul Islam: Sunday’s assaults on a group of demonstrating teachers of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) by some so-called students in the name of activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) is a heinous crime and this type of activities are fading the glorious past of the ruling Awami League`s student wing.

How many more times will the public have to witness shameful behaviour by BCL members though its national leaders act on pledges to root out criminality from their ranks and become more representative of ordinary hard-working students?

The assaults at Shahjalal University, where a teacher’s group has been peacefully campaigning since April against alleged irregularities by the vice-chancellor, is a unbearable incident and have been widely condemned .

It is clearly unacceptable that most of the senior leaders of the pro-Awami League students group who are known for being supporters of the VC, were seen standing nearby when the attack was launched and did nothing to stop the attackers.

After the attack, shell-shocked Professor Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, the noted educationist and one of the founders of SUST who is widely respected for his pro-student stances over different issues, found it hard to keep standing and sat in the rain in protest at the assaults.

The BCL’s national leadership must take steps to heed the advice given by the prime minister at its recent conference, to become a more accountable and transparent and to stop tolerating criminal behaviour by its members.

Lawless behaviour by student political activists of whatever party, is deeply damaging to our society. The widespread prevalence of such lawlessness, which has seen some BCL members indulge in much more serious criminal acts.

The newly elected BCL leaders should end this heinous practice by expelling all and any members found involved in any criminal and savage acts. Overall, as the students our moral duty is to respect our teachers even if they become guilty then the administration will take steps against them.

risingbd/Sep 03, 2015/Aminul