Stop the Use of Force: Aligning Government Words and Actions

The anticipation was high that the Supreme Court's ruling would pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the student quota reform movement, bringing stability back to educational institutions and the nation as a whole. The eight-point demand by the students included immediate reopening of universities and ensuring the safety of general students.

During the height of the quota reform movement, over two hundred individuals lost their lives, and thousands were injured in clashes and shootings involving law enforcement. Additionally, a significant amount of state property was damaged.

There was a collective expectation that the government would promptly address the issues by engaging in discussions with the protesting students to foster a swift resolution. Promises were made by ministers indicating such actions. However, it has been observed with concern that various tactics were employed to create divisions among the protesters.

Allegations have emerged that several individuals, including Nahid Islam, one of the movement's coordinators, were forcibly taken from their homes and tortured. This situation worsened when three coordinators, who were receiving medical treatment, were transferred to the DB (Investigation Division) office before their treatment was completed. DB Additional Commissioner Haroon Aur Rashid claimed they were brought in for their protection. Despite a coordinator reportedly seeking security, no concrete evidence supports this claim, raising questions about the coercive nature of their transfer to the DB office.

Can law enforcement legally detain individuals in this manner? The DB justified their actions by citing safety concerns raised by a coordinator's father. However, the real concern seems to stem from the law enforcement agencies themselves, as they are accused of detaining and assaulting the coordinators.

Although the students have announced the suspension of their program, questions remain about the necessity of placing coordinators in 'security custody' at the DB office. If the withdrawal from the program was indeed voluntary, it would have occurred outside the university campus or at another location. The insincerity behind taking the six coordinators to the DB office and sharing their food scenes on social media is evident.

On Monday, Supreme Court lawyers Manzoor-al Mateen and Ainunnahar Siddiqa filed a writ seeking the immediate release of the six coordinators allegedly detained by law enforcement and an order to prevent shooting at protestors. Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolan addressed the government, questioning, "Who instructed you to do these things? Why are you mocking the nation?"

The government's dual approach of calling for the withdrawal of student programs while simultaneously instilling fear among students is counterproductive. The detention of some coordinators has instilled fear among others, making it impossible to normalize the situation or build trust with the students.

To restore normalcy, the government must immediately cease using force. It is essential to align their actions with their words, creating an environment of trust and demonstrating genuine commitment to resolving the issues at hand.