Chhatra Dal vows to resist mob violence fuelled by religious exploitation

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will take a firm stand against individuals and groups exploiting religion to incite mob violence, the organisation’s central President Rakibul Islam Rakib said on Sunday.

He made the remarks at a brief rally at the base of the Raju Sculpture following a nationwide protest march organised by Dhaka University Chhatra Dal, demanding justice for incidents of mob violence across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Rakib said that in the post-5 August political reality, a particular group had been capitalising on religion to create so-called “bot” and continuously provoke mob violence.

He alleged that hatred was being spread online at their instigation from outside the country, adding that Chhatra Dal would resist such attempts.

“BNP is a democratic political party, and Chhatra Dal also upholds a democratic mindset,” he said. “That is why we have never responded to mob culture with mob tactics. If we had behaved like them, many campuses would not have remained safe. Instead, we have dealt with the situation with patience and tolerance.”

Criticising religion-based politics, the Chhatra Dal president warned that divisions were being created over who was a “good Muslim” and who was not, calling it dangerous for national sovereignty and social harmony.

He labelled such politics as part of a conspiracy to destabilise Bangladesh.

Rakib also condemned rumours and propaganda spread against Chhatra Dal over the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi.

He demanded accountability for those involved and called for speedy and fair trials in all cases of mob violence, including Hadi’s murder.

Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas said it was the organisation’s moral responsibility to stand against the anarchy being carried out in the name of mob culture.

He urged impartial investigations into every incident and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Earlier, the protest march began around 1:45pm from the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), marched around the campus, and concluded at the Raju Sculpture.

The march protested the burning to death of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka of Mymensingh and the burning to death of BNP co-organising secretary Belal Hossain’s seven-year-old daughter Ayesha Sanju at her home in Bhabaniganj Union of Laxmipur. Protesters also demanded justice for all incidents of mob violence nationwide.