DUCSU leaders vow to resist ‘big plan’ of murder at midnight protest

Dhaka University (DU) turned into a centre of protest late on Wednesday night as leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) led a midnight procession demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Upazila Jamaat Secretary Rezaul Karim in a BNP-Jamaat clash in Sherpur.

The protest procession began around 11:30pm from the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and marched through different roads of the campus before ending with a brief rally at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Sculpture at the TSC. Students from various residential halls took part in the demonstration.

Addressing the rally, DUCSU Vice President (VP) Shadik Kayem accused BNP of pursuing what he described as a politics of terrorism, extortion and murder. “Shaheed Zia’s BNP is no more, Begum Khaleda Zia’s BNP is no more. Today’s BNP is involved in terrorism, extortion and killing,” he said.

Although people had expected responsible political behaviour after the July mass uprising, he claimed that BNP had faced the highest number of allegations of terrorism and extortion over the past one and a half years. 

“More than two hundred people have been killed within their own party. How can the country be safe in the hands of those who cannot even keep their own people safe?” he asked, adding that any “big plan” to carry out killings would not be allowed to succeed.

Directly addressing BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman,  Kayem said, “You said, ‘I have a plan.’ Is violence against women, terrorism and chaos across the country part of that plan? There is still time-reform the party, identify the terrorists and bring them to justice.”

DUCSU General Secretary (GS) SM Farhad said that students had hoped for positive politics from BNP after the August 5 mass uprising, but instead witnessed continued violence.

 “They have killed more than two hundred people within their own party,” he alleged, claiming that attempts were being made to suppress the truth through murder, extortion and control of the media.

Referring to the Sherpur incident, Farhad said that not only a Jamaat leader but also army officers were injured, which he termed “deeply alarming”. 

He warned that if the Election Commission and other authorities failed to ensure citizens’ safety during the election, they could not avoid responsibility.

DUCSU Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Mohiuddin Khan said the July movement had inspired dreams of a new Bangladesh, but those dreams were now under threat.

 “The terrorism, extortion and murders carried out by BNP and its affiliates are destroying that dream. People no longer believe in words, only in deeds,” he said.

DUCSU Social Service Affairs Secretary AB Zubair also criticised BNP leadership, alleging widespread extortion, land grabbing and attacks on women by party activists. “If these are your plans, then be prepared to face the same consequences as Hasina,” he warned while addressing Tarique Rahman.

Turning to the interim government, Zubair said, “We asked for a fair election in a safe environment. If you cannot ensure security for a political party leader today, how will you ensure security for ordinary people?”

From the rally, DUCSU leaders urged the interim government and the Election Commission to swiftly arrest and punish those responsible for the murder of Rezaul Karim, take firm action against violence against women, and ensure a free, fair and violence-free election. 

They also warned that the July generation was ready to return to the streets to resist any “big plan” aimed at implementing a politics of murder and terror.