Dhaka University teacher, distinguished economist and political analyst Dr. Mahbub Ullah said that the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) directive to close all the Universities in the country due to the unstable situation arising out of the student movement demanding quota reform is contempt for the autonomy of the universities.
He feels that it is very important to show the sincerity of the government and related parties to the agitating students to resolve the ongoing crisis and not to harbor any kind of revenge mentality.
This educationist criticized the civil society of the country along with those concerned with the government as the quota reform movement turned into a mass explosion. He said, our civil society is not only divided, but most of them are not able to fulfill their historical responsibilities due to the desire to get the favor of the state.
In an exclusive interview given to Barta24.com on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Mahbub Ullah talked to Planning Editor Ashraful Islam.
Barta24.com: Due to the conflicting outcome of the quota reform movement, all educational institutions in the country have been ordered to close due to the unstable situation. The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) directive to close down Universities as autonomous institutions has been criticized. How do you see this...
Dr. Mahbub Ullah: Public Universities are autonomous institutions. And the Syndicate is the highest administrative decision making body of the University. What we have noticed in the past is that when any such crisis arises, the Vice-Chancellor calls a meeting of the Syndicate. After discussion there, they decided whether to close the University indefinitely or for a fixed period. Now it can be said that what happened through UGC does not seem to be in accordance with the general rules or conventions. In this case, the autonomy of the University has been disregarded. It was not desirable at all. The government knows very well that the council formed with the Vice-Chancellor of the Universities has a lot of authority behind it. Be it public or private University. Even the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and VCs of private Universities requires prior approval of the government. They do not happen without the consent of the government. The government could have done this by directing that Universities should be closed in such situations. Then surely the Vice-Chancellor would not have disagreed. Since the Vice-Chancellors are all of the same line..not going that way..Seems that there was a kind of rush. The work must be done quickly. No doubt it is not quite in accordance with all the conventions and precedents of the past.
Barta24.com: 6 people were killed and many injured in clashes across the country on Tuesday around the quota movement. This bloodshed in the student movement could not be avoided?
Dr. Mahbub Ullah: The stand taken by the students on the issue of quota...since 2018, they have never said that quota should be completely withdrawn or abolished. They said they want quota reforms. They want a reform that will play a substantial role in merit assessment. Almost many in the government circles also accept its accuracy. In this situation, what the government could have done from the beginning, since it is correct, is to reassure the students by saying, 'We can understand the validity of your demands. However, many experiments are needed to solve the problem. On that basis, I will give a solution acceptable to all which will be acceptable to you.
There is a justification for those who should get quota, keeping quotas and excluding the rest. Many people say that the number of freedom fighters in the entire population? Then what is their ratio, and do it accordingly. Students said the quota could be a maximum of 5 percent. Some in the political party BNP said it could be ten to fifteen percent. However, it could have been done through a discussion in an atmosphere of compromise in an atmosphere of sympathy. What followed was a matter of inflexibility. A sad thing happened. Many lives were lost, many were injured. However, it should also be remembered that the events of the past few days are not just due to the indifference of the government regarding the quota. On the contrary, it can be said that it is not possible to make any manifestation of the protests that have been accumulating for a long time due to various reasons; there has been an explosion for that. It is sadder than that; the way the students were beaten up is not desirable in any civilized country in a free democratic country. Even then there were outsiders, many who are not students, used. I was once a University student, later a teacher, in our experience, suppression of student movements by outsiders has never happened. This is very reprehensible, sad--unacceptable. Even so, I will say that everyone should be happy so that we can come to a fair solution. And an atmosphere of democracy and tolerance can be restored in the country where everyone, including students, workers and farmers, will fulfill their duties as citizens to their heart's content.
Barta24.com: How do you think the overall situation can be changed in the existing situation...
Dr. Mahbub Ullah: Transition is difficult. When an issue comes to the country, many other issues get involved. That is for our childhood. Problems happen because we cannot handle them properly. Now Universities, schools-colleges-all educational institutions have been closed. We don't know when it will open. By when will the government understand or realize that the environment is open from this point of view, it can be said that the educational life of the students will suffer a lot. Session congestion may occur. Also, public university teachers have their own movement going on. I don't see much light in the way of solving that movement. I don't know how to solve it. That being said, the biggest thing needed to address this is sincerity and not harboring any kind of revenge mentality. To wash away all the ink from the mind with an open mind and take initiative to solve it with sincerity. It's hard to imagine that would be easy, though because the scar or wound that is formed after bleeding cannot be easily wiped off. Wounds on the human body may heal with treatment but scars remain. That is the concern.
Barta24.com: How do you see the role of civil society outside the government in mitigating the crisis?
Dr. Mahbub Ullah: Civil society plays a major role in creating a healthy and tolerant environment in the country. Unfortunately, the civil society of Bangladesh is divided. Not only divided, most of them are unable to fulfill their historical responsibilities because of the desire to gain favor with the state. But during the Pakistan period, even after the creation of Bangladesh, we noticed that the civil society here; Especially educationists-University teachers, lawyers, various professionals, artists-poets and writers have played a big role. Today those who are supposed to be the conscience of the nation are almost silent. Not only are they silent, but they are tolerant of wrongdoing. It is very sad, painful and this situation should change. I hope that in the future many such conscientious people will be created.