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Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka South city unit staged a demonstration and brought out procession on Wednesday, protesting what it termed as terrorist activities by the banned Awami League and its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The rally was attended by Chhatra Shibir Central Office Secretary Azizur Rahman Azad as the chief guest, while Central Human Rights Secretary Noman Hossain Nayan was present as a special guest.
Dhaka South city unit President Delwar Hossain chaired the programme, which was conducted by its Secretary Hafiz Anwar Hossain.
Addressing the rally, Azizur Rahman Azad said Bangladesh had emerged from fascist rule through the July mass uprising, in which more than a thousand people were killed and many others injured. However, he alleged that the BNP-led government had failed to ensure public security despite the change in political circumstances.
He also questioned the government’s role, alleging that its electoral understanding with the Awami League had raised concerns about its commitment to holding the party accountable.
Azad alleged that despite the presence of law enforcement agencies, the Awami League was carrying out bomb explosions, cocktail attacks, vehicle arson and blockade-related activities after announcing such programmes in advance.
He criticised the home minister for downplaying these incidents in parliament, saying his remarks appeared to reflect an attempt to protect the Awami League.
Referring to the bomb explosion at Dhaka University and other incidents of violence, Azad said such developments were being presented as insignificant. At the same time, he alleged, Chhatra Dal was making various accusations against Chhatra Shibir. He urged the BNP’s student wing to abandon its hostile attitude and recognise the actual situation.
Stating that Chhatra Shibir would not fall into the trap of any political party, he said conducting operations against terrorist and militant groups was the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies. He alleged that the government was trying to shift the blame for its failure to discharge that responsibility onto Chhatra Shibir.
Azad also accused the BNP of reaching an understanding with the Awami League, facilitating the entry of its leaders into parliament, engaging in what he described as bail-related business and rehabilitating Awami League figures at different levels.
Describing the BNP’s position as contradictory, he said making critical statements against the Awami League while maintaining an understanding with it amounted to double standards in politics.
He said the government still had an opportunity to correct its mistakes. To this end, he called for an end to the politicisation of state institutions, implementation of the July Charter in consultation with opposition parties and steps to ensure justice for the alleged mass killings committed by the Awami League.
Special guest Noman Hossain Nayan said the defeated political forces had carried out arson attacks in different parts of the country because of what he described as the home minister’s failure to maintain law and order.
He also said those who had destroyed the education system and turned educational institutions into havens for terrorism had no right to engage in politics in the country.
Addressing the home minister, Nayan said, “Instead of repeatedly talking about the Constitution, discharge your responsibilities.”
In his presidential address, Delwar Hossain alleged that the banned Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League were continuing activities across the country to destabilise the situation.
He said their alleged activities were visible to ordinary people but appeared to have escaped the government’s attention.
Referring to the political change on August 5, 2024, Delwar said the people had rejected the Awami League through the mass uprising and would not accept any compromise with what he termed an autocratic force.
He also questioned the effectiveness of intelligence surveillance, recalling that intelligence agencies had previously used advanced technology to monitor the movements and activities of Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists. He asked where those technological capabilities had gone amid the current security concerns.
Chhatra Shibir Dhaka South city unit Finance Secretary Omar Faruk Fahim, Office Secretary Shafiqul Islam Saiful and leaders and activists from different city and police station units attended the programme.