Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest rally in Dhaka today, demanding that the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (Sucsu) election be held on schedule and condemning what they called a conspiracy to derail the polls.
Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organised the rally. Participants marched from the Central Shaheed Minar under the leadership of the organisation’s Central Publicity Secretary, Azizur Rahman Azad. The rally proceeded through several roads and ended with a gathering at Shahbagh.
Azad said the nine-point demands of the July Uprising included the restoration of student politics through elected student unions.
“Those who try to stop union elections by mobilising mobs or exerting political influence are betraying the martyrs of July,” he said.
He further alleged that anti-election forces in the country, together with India and the Awami League, have aligned with BNP and Chatra Dal to oppose the student union elections.
“By doing so, they have taken a stand against the student community and the July generation,” he said.
He demanded that the authorities conduct the Sucsu election within the declared timeframe.
Shibir Central International Affairs Secretary Mu’tasim Billah Shahedi accused BNP of trying to block student union polls.
“BNP has always feared student union elections. They never held such elections during three successive terms in power. They remain engaged in the same conspiracy,” he said.
Central Publications Secretary and Ducsu Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem criticised Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal for what he described as double standards. He said Chatra Dal once fought for voting rights but now opposed the polls because they feared defeat.
“This is deeply shameful for the nation. The July generation will not accept attempts to derail the polls through mob tactics and political interference,” he said.
He accused BNP-backed lawyers of attempting to halt the election through the courts while supporters gathered before the Election Commission.
The rally was joined by Central HRM Secretary Saidul Islam, Education Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim, Arts and Culture Secretary Hafez Abu Musa, Finance Secretary Anisur Rahman and Research Secretary Fakhrul Islam.
Among others, Jagannath University unit President and Juucsu VP Riazul Islam, and Ducsu AGS and Dhaka University unit President Muhammadu Mohiuddin addressed the gathering.
Dhaka Metropolitan East unit President and Ducsu Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah conducted the programme.
Leaders and activists from Dhaka and different universities participated in the march alongside general students.
