Chhatra Shakti protests at DU condemning attack on NCP leaders

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti held a protest march and rally at Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday night in protest against the attack on the convoy of Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) leaders and activists in Habiganj, the imposition of Section 144 on a centrally announced programme and police obstruction.

During the demonstration, leaders of the student organisation demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack, the guarantee of freedom of expression, and an end to all obstructions against political activities.

The protest march began at the university's Raju Sculpture around 9 pm on Wednesday (29 July). Marching the key roads of the campus the protest concluded with a rally. 

Addressing the rally, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, President of the DU branch of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, alleged that the current government is following the path of the previous administration to suppress dissent.

"Tarique Rahman is showing a tendency to become Sheikh Hasina. In order to suppress dissent, they have tried to stop the NCP protest procession with sand trucks in Hasina's style. But those who liberated the country from 17 years of demonic rule and freed Begum Khaleda Zia from jail cannot be stopped with sand trucks. Whether in the name of Tarique or Hasina - fascism will never be allowed to return to this country," he said.

Muddassir also highlighted the ongoing electricity and gas crisis across the country, drawing attention to power shortages in rural areas, irregular gas supply in the capital, and acute shortages at CNG stations and industrial units. He accused the government of creating a vast gap between its development promises and reality.

Abu Baker Majumder, Central General Secretary of the student body, alleged that the BNP is moving towards establishing a one-party regime following the national elections.

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"Their plan before the elections has become clear in the last five months, how to take away people's freedom of speech and attack meetings and gatherings," he stated.

Criticising the Home Minister and the Education Minister, Abu Baker further accused the government of using Chhatra Dal to foment campus violence.

"Awami League could not suppress the movement with sand trucks, you cannot do it with empty trucks either. You do not understand the change and democratization that has taken place in the minds of the people of the country through the July mass uprising," he added, warning that continued repression would only escalate public discontent against the government.

At the conclusion of the rally, speakers demanded the swift arrest and trial of those responsible for the Habiganj attack.