After a lull over four and a half years since the banning of campus politics by BUET authorities after the killing of Abrar Fahad in October 2019, a fresh storm seems to be fast gathering momentum with ominous indication of not only disruption of academic atmosphere at this institution of engineering and technology but also of horrifying unfortunate incidents. Given the way the agitating general students and the ruling party student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League face each other over the question of resumption of student politics, such eventualities cannot be ruled out altogether.

Thanks to wide media coverage, it is already known to everybody that after BCL staged a showdown on the campus on 29 March, the general students started demonstration against resumption of campus politics. Determined to keep campus free from student politics, the agitating students are now boycotting all academic activities and refraining from examinations to press home their demands.

The already tense situation took a new turn after BCL gathered on the campus on Sunday demanding reintroduction of student politics. We are scared to know that, as the protesting students alleged, they are getting threats from different corners since Saturday night for their movement against student politics.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is one of the highest seats of learning that produce a good number of tech-savvy graduates every year and thus have created a sort of positive impression outside the country. Any untoward incidents on the campus will not only lead to disruption of normal academic programme of BUET but will also earn bad reputation for the country and its education system.

Our strong position is that none will benefit from a confrontational situation on the campus. And, in case any bloody clashes take place, the promising future of many may come to an abrupt end. All stakeholders including parties involved in the protests and counter-protests must therefore exercise utmost restraint and try their best for a peaceful solution. Everyone should refrain from issuing statements that may add fuel to the fire. Higher authorities including law enforcement agencies must immediately take pre-emptive steps so that the BUET situation does not turn for the worse.