At last, the students of SUST have ended their 'hunger strike until death' after a week yesterday at the request of renowned writer and former professor of the university Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal. Twenty-eight students drank water to break their fast in the morning at the request of their beloved teacher who gave them an assurance that the authorities concerned would ultimately meet their demands. The demonstrators also informed that keeping faith in words of their teacher, they finally decided to break their fast. It is indeed a joyous event for the entire nation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also hailed the decision of the SUST students. Life is very precious. Thank Allah that no tragic event happened till the last day of the students' hunger strike although many of them fell sick during the period.
Professor Zafar Iqbal deserves praise for helping avert the disaster. He is a shining example of an ideal teacher who came forward at his own to break the impasse which was mainly the duty and responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Teachers' importance can in no way be understated; but, with passage of time, teachers are gradually losing respect from students due to various reasons. Some so-called teachers are solely responsible for their own fate. Dr Iqbal is a person of self-respect. During his entire teaching career, he dealt with students like his kids. And, students also reciprocated his actions. As to why, he has been able to pursue the students to withdraw their strike which others have failed to do. The entire nation is waiting for the day when teacher-student relations will again be healthy enough, benefitting all.