Pressure was building up on the Dhaka University administration to re-open the University at an early stage. The reason is obvious: session Jam which has already become acute 1s being further aggravated with the loss of each day of the "academic year." Students at the Honours and Masters level who were scheduled to have completed their final examinations in March/April are facing an uncertain future. But the Dhaka University Teachers' Association had resolved that the University should not be re-opened until an assurance was given by the government and the political parties to the effect that there would be no more violence on the campus. The Academic Council, the highest academic body in the University, took the same position. There 1s considerable Justification behind this view because we have reasons to believe that violence, which led to the closure of the University so many times in the past, will break out once again when the University is re-opened, supposedly on 17th instant.

In the circumstances the question that all of us must have in mind is: why are the government and the two major political parties who have armed activists in their student fronts in Dhaka University maintaining alienee? Both these parties were actively involved fn the movement to end autocracy and restore democracy in the country. The objective has now been achieved through the combined efforts of people belonging to all walks of life. But neither BNP nor Awami League seems to give any indication tt)at they have overcome the

psychological barrier created by many years of experience (in the sense that use of arms and control of campus, especially DU campus, have played such a prominent role in national politics) and, that they are willing to disown the terrorists. Let us recall here that when the long-awaited discussion on the campus situation was held in the Parliament, the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition and at least three-fourths of the MPs remained absent. It is very much likely that the musclemen among the activists in the student fronts will not surrender the weapons they possess. For the same arms are used for a variety of other purposes outside the campus also. However, If the political parties realize the gravity of the situation created by campus violence they must cease to regard these musclemen as "assets".

The responsibility, of seizing unauthorised arms and taking to task those who possess and use' them squarely lies with the government. For it is its primary duty to maintain law and order in general. From the relevant clauses of the Dhaka University Order it 1s clear that University autonomy cannot prevent the law-enforcing agencies from taking appropriate action against the use of arms on the campus. It Is also clear that the Vice-Chancellor of the University is not empowered to Issue directives of these agencies’ for such action as and when necessary. But unfortunately, sometimes the government has tried to cover up its urftvflHngnesa or inability to tackle the situation by shifting the responsibility to the University administration.

It is true that the University administration is empowered to expel the terrorists. But let us remember that all of them are not students. What is more, as long as the terrorists remain armed and can move, about freely, this does not solve the problem. Actually, as the experience of Dhaka University shows, such a step can be counter-productive.The problem has to be tackled at the political and government level.

We must admit that Is will not be easy to solve a problem which has become so acute and complicated over the years. But we must start somewhere. And what we need most for such a beginning are ■ (a) the willingness and ability of the government to discharge its primary responsibility as mentioned above, and (b) a consensus between the two major political parties to disown those who possess and use arms In the educational institutions (and other places). After all, we do not need to remind ourselves that If the present state of affairs la allowed to continue, democracy will be In danger once again and the nation will pay dearly in other respects. I would sug gest that till there are clear indications to the effect that the concerned quarters are willing to fulfil their responsibility, the Dhaka University (and other educational Institutions) may remain closed even though it will be so much un desirable otherwise. Dhaka University played a commendable role tn the movement Xlnst autocratic regime. It Id contribute fn a similar manner fn bringing campus terrorism to an need.

A Reader