Asif Nazul, Professor of Law, Dhaka University: The entire nation was stunned by the way Chhatra League carried out attacks on the quota reform protesters. The incidents, especially the merciless beating of quota reform leader Nurul Haq Nur, the beating of Rajshahi University student Tarikul with a hammer, which broke both his legs, and the shameless assault on Mariam, have developed deep wounds in the society.
However, Chhatra League is not alone to blame for the attacks since the government is also responsible for it all. The police leave the spots just before the attacks or they are assisting the attackers. They did not arrest the accused Chhatra League leaders and activists despite photos showing them carrying hammers, machetes and sticks were published in the media. Rather they have shown arrested many quota reform leaders and supporters injured in Chhatra League attacks, in many cases to harass them. In many cases, it was also seen that the police showed them arrested after taking them to police station. These incidents prove that either the government supported the attackers or had the attacks carried.
The quota protest is legit and peaceful in its kind. Every citizen of Bangladesh has the right to demand reformation of the social chaos that is in place in the name of quota system in public services. The government must have respected the right.
Bangladesh has not turned a country like that of Hitler or Mussolini. Marshal Court has not been imposed or the constitution has not been stalled—then how was the attack on the quota protesters justified despite it being a peaceful demonstration. Even there is no measure taken to try them. I think every moral person of the society should condemn the brutal attacks, the hindrance over their treatment and cases filed to harass them, demanding trial of the attackers. If not so, it will imply that we are accepting the use of hammer and machete, bowing down to anarchy and injustice.