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What’s is the future of our student politics?

Published : Saturday, 4 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1893
Sayeed Muhammad Sanower
In Bangladesh's historical journey, student politics has a glorious history. This nation has repeatedly witnessed that young students and youth have repeatedly spearheaded liberation movements, waving the independence flag. From the 1952 Language Movement, the 1962 student movement against the anti-people Sharif Commission of the then Pakistani government, the 1966 Six Points, the 1969 mass uprising, the Great Liberation War of 1971, and the anti-autocracy movement of 1990 -all these movements witnessed the highly active participation of student politics. 

An indomitable, irrepressible force resides within these youths. However, with the changing times, some self-interested political parties have seized that power. They have made young students the stepping stone to remain in power.

The mention of student politics now conjures up the chilling image of the lifeless, blood-soaked body of Abrar Fahad.  Extortion, tendering, drug trafficking, admission scams, hall seat occupation, eve-teasing, rape, factionalism, and clashes have become the hallmarks of student leaders. Even in the appointment of teachers and staff, and university vice-chancellors, recommendations from ruling party student leaders are often required. This current state of affairs has tarnished the glorious past of student politics. 

Consequently, meritorious students are distancing themselves from student politics, and some are calling for a ban on politics on campuses. Some researchers even advocate for the prohibition of student politics. However, many argue that student politics should not be banned but reformed. They believe that a sense of patriotism and morality must be instilled in student leaders.

They must be made to understand that student politics does not mean being a mere puppet of the ruling party, indulging in extortion, tender manipulation, or occupying power through coercion, nor does it mean exploiting university budgets and recruitment processes. Student leaders must remember that they are the future leaders of the nation. Therefore, they must not only strive to assert their rights and hold power accountable but also be mindful of their duties. They must ponder upon national and international issues and work to safeguard the freedom of speech of students on campus.

The buzzing rumors of banning student politics pose a double threat; on the one hand, they strip students of their political rights, and on the other, prohibiting student politics without reform will create a politically apathetic generation ignorant of national and international politics. 

The "Golden Bangladesh" we dream of requires the leadership of the vibrant youth. It is through the hands of this youthful leadership that Bangladesh will emerge from the dark shadow of dynasticism. The nation will be deprived of such politically conscious and youthful leadership if student politics is banned. This may even pave the way for the resurgence of neo-fascism.

It is a prudent decision to focus on reforming student politics rather than banning it in the best interests of the country and the nation. Introducing dynamism into leadership can initiate the reform of student politics on campus. This can be achieved by fostering dynamism in leadership through regular student council elections and discontinuing party politics. 

Alternatively, student council elections can be held even while maintaining party politics. In such cases, the university administration must bring all party-affiliated student organizations under a defined set of rules and regulations for political activities on campus.

Student politics boasts a glorious history not only in Bangladesh but also across the world. The student community was the driving force behind the revolutions of 1848 in Germany and Austria. During the reign of the "Tsar" in Russia, students initiated various revolutionary movements. In 1955 in Argentina, 1958 in Venezuela, 1960 in Korea, and 1964 in Vietnam and Bolivia, students played a historic role in national movements during times of national crisis.
In this country, the student community has also actively participated in the nation's struggles for freedom, both before and after independence. 

They have united and fought for the nation. The July-August uprising is a vivid example of this. They compelled a single-party autocratic ruler to flee the country within 36 days. However, this youthful vigor could not be sustained thereafter. Again, there are attempts to manipulate that power in different directions.

While the context of politics varies from country to country, the necessity of student politics remains universal. It serves as a pipeline for national leadership. Today's students are the architects of the future. The reforms we anticipate within political parties must begin with student politics. This is how we will cultivate competent, efficient, responsible, and patriotic leaders who will lead Bangladesh to stand tall globally.

The writer is a student, Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, Noakhali Science and Technology University



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