Editorial
Shibir activists in BCL!
What has the AL been doing then?
Awami League general secretary, Syed Ashraful Islam, has come up with the startling revelation that none other than the Shibir followers have infiltrated deep into the BCL's top ranks and are responsible for the ongoing violence in the educational institutions. At the same time, leaders of the 14-party alliance have expressed their concern over the BCL activities characterised by some morally and legally indefensible pursuits. We are left wondering as to where does the truth lie! While we appreciate the candour, we are patently alarmed by the contents of the statements, particularly that of Ashraful Islam.
The AL general secretary has announced what sounds like an expedient dodging of responsibility: the BCL is no longer the student wing of the AL, in an apparent reference to the RPO provision that does not allow for associate bodies of political parties. However, the widely held view on the issue is that the 'estrangement' of the BCL from the ruling party, as claimed, is more a reflection of distancing from what is now considered a liability by the AL. At best, it is an absurd public posturing with a manifest abdication of responsibility towards the BCL! At worst, it amounts to disowning the activities of the young followers of the party who reportedly have patrons among its leaders.
Nevertheless, the claim of Shibir infiltration will give rise to some pertinent questions. Is the BCL's defense mechanism so loose and so poorly supervised that known Shibir elements could make inroads into its heart so easily? Obviously, it is not enough to call the undesirable elements infiltrators. The claim has to be substantiated with solid evidence and even if it is found to be true, it has to be explained how the Shibir supporters could accomplish such a feat! Furthermore, their collaborators within the BCL need to be weeded out if the statement is true.
All this is incredible. The question now is what have the AL leaders been doing all this time when the BCL got infected by a Shibir malcontent. Leaving the job of purging the bad fellows to the BCL if Ashraful's allegation is to be accepted is a clear-cut shirking of responsibilities that belong to the AL, more so because of its having allowed a free rein to the BCL. The attempt to divert attention from core responsibility of the ruling party and to dismiss everything by putting forward disingenuous arguments can indeed be counter-productive. Worse still, it can erode authority of the government, which will be a heavier price to pay.
The AL general secretary has announced what sounds like an expedient dodging of responsibility: the BCL is no longer the student wing of the AL, in an apparent reference to the RPO provision that does not allow for associate bodies of political parties. However, the widely held view on the issue is that the 'estrangement' of the BCL from the ruling party, as claimed, is more a reflection of distancing from what is now considered a liability by the AL. At best, it is an absurd public posturing with a manifest abdication of responsibility towards the BCL! At worst, it amounts to disowning the activities of the young followers of the party who reportedly have patrons among its leaders.
Nevertheless, the claim of Shibir infiltration will give rise to some pertinent questions. Is the BCL's defense mechanism so loose and so poorly supervised that known Shibir elements could make inroads into its heart so easily? Obviously, it is not enough to call the undesirable elements infiltrators. The claim has to be substantiated with solid evidence and even if it is found to be true, it has to be explained how the Shibir supporters could accomplish such a feat! Furthermore, their collaborators within the BCL need to be weeded out if the statement is true.
All this is incredible. The question now is what have the AL leaders been doing all this time when the BCL got infected by a Shibir malcontent. Leaving the job of purging the bad fellows to the BCL if Ashraful's allegation is to be accepted is a clear-cut shirking of responsibilities that belong to the AL, more so because of its having allowed a free rein to the BCL. The attempt to divert attention from core responsibility of the ruling party and to dismiss everything by putting forward disingenuous arguments can indeed be counter-productive. Worse still, it can erode authority of the government, which will be a heavier price to pay.
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