Chhatra Shakti protests measles deaths, border killings

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti formed a human chain at Dhaka University on Monday to protest child deaths from measles, alleged mismanagement in vaccination programmes and the continued killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border.

The demonstration took place around 5:30pm at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Activists chanted slogans criticising the government’s handling of the health sector and border security. They also carried placards demanding accountability over the measles outbreak and an end to border violence.

Speaking at the programme, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, president of the Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, claimed the government had failed to meet public expectations even four months after assuming office.

He criticised the administration’s management of the energy sector and alleged that syndicates continued to influence fuel prices despite official assurances regarding adequate reserves.

Tahmid also expressed concern over the border situation and accused India of escalating tensions while the Bangladesh government remained silent.

Describing the government’s approach as a “knee-jerk foreign policy”, he called for an independent commission to investigate the measles outbreak, which he claimed had killed around 400 children.

He further demanded the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector to address shortages of oxygen and essential medical equipment.

Asia Akhter Remiza, senior vice-president of the DU unit, said people had expected an independent and self-reliant foreign policy after the July mass uprising.

She alleged that the government continued the ineffective health policies of the previous administration and had failed to take visible steps to control the measles outbreak.

Mohammad Saifullah, organising secretary of the DU unit, accused the government of retreating from its “Bangladesh first” slogan by maintaining what he described as a weak position on border killings.

He blamed the worsening measles situation on systemic failures in vaccination management and urged the health ministry to take immediate action.

The programme ended with calls for national unity to protect the country’s sovereignty and demands for reforms in the health and foreign policy sectors.