As for student politics, to begin with, we would like to make it abundantly clear that every citizen of Bangladesh above the age of 18 has the right to be involved in politics and be affiliated with any political party of his or her choice and subscribe to any political opinion. We also believe that our student movements have a long and glorious tradition and their roles at various junctures of national life have shaped our nation's destiny. It needs no repeating that the student community in Bangladesh is a highly sensitive and a conscious lot with a pro-people outlook. Regrettably however, since after the liberation and particularly after 1976, student politics assumed a distinctly partisan character and the abrasive nature of national politics rubbed off on the students bodies too. The result is for all to see.

It is time that all of us acknowledged the fact that the world has changed and the character of student politics must change too. We would want the campus to be free of party politics and the students must not be exploited to further the narrow interests of the political parties. We would like to see the glorious traditions of the students restored to the time when there was no formal student wing of political parties. Student bodies must devote themselves only to addressing their welfare and improving the academic atmosphere on the campus while keeping an enlightened interest in national politics. We would hope that the political parties and the student would not take the proposed changes not as a restriction but an opportunity which provides the students a scope to break out of the fetters of partisan politics and follow the dictates of their own conscience.

As for labour politics, regrettably the traditional role of the trade unions has been blurred and increasingly partisan outlook has motivated their activities. The only ones to suffer are none else but the labourers. Interests of the labourers were sacrificed at the altar of partisan politics and factional tussle had gone against the interests of not only the labourers but also the industries and consequently the nation's.

What the government is contemplating is of far reaching consequences. Of particular significance will be the role of the EC which must engage all sections of the society, including, but not exclusively the political parties, in public discourse to form not only a consensus on the need for the contemplated changes but also on the manner and means of the best way to go about implementing the changes. Meanwhile the civil society and the media must discuss the issue and extend support for such changes.