Shibir holds mass gathering at DU protesting campus clashes

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir today (5 August) held a mass gathering at Dhaka University protesting yesterday’s clashes between its activists and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal members on several campuses.

The organisation also demanded the full implementation of the July Charter in line with the referendum mandate and justice for all mass killings.

The mass gathering was held at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the university campus in the morning. It was followed by a brief rally.

Several Shibir leaders and activists attending the programme were seen carrying PVC pipes, while some had attached national flags to the pipes.

Current and former Shibir leaders and activists from its Dhaka metropolitan units and units at different educational institutions attended the programme.

Addressing the rally, Patuakhali-2 lawmaker Shafiqul Islam Masud said, “On 5 August, when we were supposed to celebrate our victory, having to stand here and speak against Chhatra Dal is a shame for Bangladesh, a shame for the BNP and a shame for you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.”

“Control Chhatra Dal. Otherwise, just as Chhatra League ensured the downfall of the Awami League, Chhatra Dal will ensure your downfall in even less time and force you to leave Bangladesh again,” he added.

Md Nurul Islam Bulbul, ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South unit and lawmaker for Chapainawabganj-3, alleged that Chhatra Dal and the BNP had begun following the same path as the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and the Awami League.

“Islami Chhatra Shibir, together with the student community, is capable of resisting any form of terrorism by Chhatra Dal,” he said.

Bulbul further alleged that the government and Chhatra Dal were conspiring to undermine the aspirations of the July movement.

“The referendum mandate must be implemented to thwart the conspiracy of the BNP and Chhatra Dal,” he said.

Speaking at the rally, Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam Saddam accused Chhatra Dal of attempting to restore hall occupation, mass rooms and guest room culture on university campuses.

“If Chhatra Dal’s terrorists are not restrained and the BNP does not rein in its ‘street gang’, then once we build resistance, you will not be able to remain on any campus for even 10 minutes,” he warned.