The core spirit of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” is inherent in its banner name. It demonstrates the protesting students’ ultimate goal: for every Bangladeshi citizen, irrespective of their political, cultural, and economic status, to equally enjoy freedom.
Although the student movement launched on demands for reformation of the quota system in public service recruitment, it ended with the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August, upholding people’s rights to live without fear of being discriminated, harassed, and eliminated.
For an equal and just society, different international organisations including the United Nations set definitions of discrimination. Broadly, discrimination is any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s racial, political, religious, sexual, national, ethnic, and other identities.
After the regime change, the common people became enthusiastic about a fresh start of the ‘independent’ Bangladesh. Perhaps now, after some shocking news of sectarian supremacy over religious minority communities, dacoity, and arson attacks on law enforcement units, amid an absence of law and order, spread around, the hype of enthusiasm has waned.
Until this article was filed, Bangladesh Police personnel were abstaining from their jobs, demanding their life security. Many of their colleagues were reportedly killed by aggrieved protesters after the fall of the government.
Amid this turmoil situation, organisers and supporters of the fallen political party as well as non-Muslims and non-political citizens are passing hours in anxiety.
The top organisers of the student movement repeatedly requested students to stand by the minority communities. More than once, they urged people to uphold law and order. Apparently, the criminals have not paid heed to the students’ calls. They have resorted to spreading hatred by attacking minority communities and innocent people.
To be frank, students neither have the authority nor have the capacity to ensure law and order. We shouldn’t forget that the students garnered popularity with the active participation of numerous non-political friends. They attracted the support of many citizens who were not affiliated with political parties.
The students were united but didn’t have professional experience of implementing law and order like what a disciplinary force does.
Hence, we shouldn’t shoulder the responsibility of maintaining law and order to the students. This crucial job must be carried out by professional law enforcers.
The incumbent authority should immediately reorganise the law enforcement forces and ensure safety of the common people as soon as possible.
The sooner the law and order prevails the better for stability in the society. This is a must to glorify the achievements of the Anti-Distrimination Student Movement.
We must not dishonour the supreme sacrifice of more than 300 lives.
