Opi Karim supports ban on BUET student politics amid High Court ruling

Former BUET student and renowned actress Opi Karim has weighed in on the ongoing movement within BUET, advocating for a ban on student politics on the campus.

Taking to social media on Thursday, Opi expressed her stance, stating, "As a former student and alumna of BUET, I am in favor of banning all forms of student politics in BUET. I stand in solidarity with the movement of the current students of BUET and wish them success."

She emphasized her viewpoint with the hashtag ‍‍`No Student Politics in BUET.‍‍`

Contrastingly, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Chairman of Jatiya Party (JAPA), GM Quader, offered a differing perspective, asserting that decisions concerning BUET should align with the desires of its students. GM Quader emphasized the significance of student opinion, suggesting that students hold the key to BUET‍‍`s political future.

The backdrop to these opinions lies in the tragic incident of October 6, 2019, when BUET student Abrar Fahad was fatally assaulted by leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

Subsequently, 20 individuals were sentenced to death, and five received life imprisonment in connection with the case, all of whom were affiliated with BCL. In response to Fahad‍‍`s killing, back then the authorities of this prestigious University enforced a ban on student politics within the BUET campus.

Recent events have reignited tensions, as certain leaders and activists, reportedly under the banner of the Chhatra League president, entered the BUET campus on March 27, sparking outrage among the student body.

In protest, students have embarked on a comprehensive boycott of academic activities, including term final exams. Concurrently, Chhatra League organized a protest rally on March 31, advocating for the reintroduction of student politics within BUET.

On April 1, the High Court intervened, suspending the ban on political activities at BUET. In response to a writ petition filed by BUET student and Chhatra League leader Imtiaz Rabbi, Justices Md. Khasruzzaman and KM Zahid Sarwar issued the order, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of campus politics.