The member of parliament for Rangpur-4 and member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Akhtar Hossain, has said the culture of occupying halls at the country’s universities has waned since 5 August. Ordinary students can now speak about their rights and protest, he said. But everyone must be alert to ensure that the old culture of oppression, torture and the suppression of free speech on campus does not return.
He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by the Islamic University (IU) branch of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at the Bot-tola of Islamic University at noon on Sunday, held to recall the monsoon revolution and to build a new political current.
Akhtar Hossain said: “When we entered university, there was no environment in which to speak. Protesting against injustice was like risking your life. But since 5 August that situation has changed. Ordinary students can now speak up about their rights, which is a matter of joy for us.”
He said: “Jatiya Chhatra Shakti will never do the politics of occupying halls. Rather, if anyone comes to occupy a hall, it is the leaders and workers of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti who will stand at the front of the protest first. The students’ halls will remain with the students and the campus will remain safe for students — that is our expectation.”
He expressed concern, however, that incidents are occurring from time to time at various universities in the country that raise fears of an environment of fear and instability being created again. Everyone concerned must play a responsible role to ensure that situations such as oppression, torture and the suppression of free speech do not return, he said.
At the discussion meeting Akhtar Hossain also demanded the arrest of the recently resigned president Md Sahabuddin. He said: “Sahabuddin is not only a symbol of fascism; he is also involved in the looting of banks. There are allegations against him of seizing Islami Bank and handing it over to S Alam Group. He has built a house abroad and made arrangements for permanent residence. Such a person has lost the moral fitness to hold the office of president.”
He further alleged that Sahabuddin had confused the public by giving contradictory statements about accepting Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter. Raising allegations of conspiracy against the state and of contact with Sheikh Hasina while abroad, he said these allegations should be properly investigated and he should be brought under the law.
Present as special guests at the event were the NCP joint convener Sarwar Tushar and joint chief organiser Dr Mahmuda Alam Mitu. The main speaker was the president of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, Zahid Ahsan. Front-line fighters of the July movement and teachers and students of the university also took part in the discussion.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report