Scuffle over central body formation
AL leaders trifling matter remark irks BCL activists
Our Correspondent, DU
A section of the Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders (BCL), who could not make it to the new central committee of the Awami Leagues student body, organised a human chain at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla of Dhaka University yesterday (Wednesday). Some 50 deprived BCL activists were present.
They decried inclusion of controversial leaders in the 301-member committee, and openly criticised Awami League (AL) leaders for saying that recent clashes between two groups of yje BCL over formation of the new committee was a trifling matter.
BM Lipi, cafeteria and common room affairs secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU), said: Many are seeing the incident differently. Many controversial, non-students, married ones, drug dealers and job holders have been given posts in the committee. Our motive is to dismiss them and make eligible leaders part of the committee.
Asked whether they would announce a new programme, Lipi said: We have given 48 hours time. It ends tomorrow. After that it will be decided whether any fresh programme will be announced. We chose the reasonable approach of expression by arranging a press conference. But we were not allowed to do so. Rather, they attacked us. A probe committee has been formed, but it did not take any action against the attackers. Even the committee members did not come to discuss with us. Is it not making fun of us? We will be vocal against those who are harassing the BCL. They threw glass at me. If someone in a responsible place, who was not present at that spot, says that Rokeya Hall general secretary Sraboni Disha.was hit by the edge of a chair, its pretty sad.
Nipu Islam Tonni, president of the Shamsunnahar Hall Chhatra League and sub-cultural secretary of the Central Chhatra League, expressed desperation and anger over Awami League joint general secretary, Mahabub-ul Alam Hanifs remark that the Madhur canteen incident was trifling matter.
Tonni said: How much more our assault is needed for their realisation? Will it be a big issue for them if we die?
Earlier, Mahabubul Alam Hanif, who is also joint general secretary of the Awami League, described Mondays clashes between two groups of the BCL over formation of the new committee as a trifling matter.
He said: The Chhatra League is a big organisation and there are thousands of qualified leaders who are eligible to be central leaders, but we cannot give posts to all of them. They have expressed their frustration as they did not get their desired posts in the committee. It is a trifling matter and the problem will be resolved soon.
During the protests, there were scuffles among various factions of the partys student front, leaving around 15 injured.
Protesters held placards demanding exemplary punishment of the culprits. One said: No room for non-students in Bangabandhus Chhatra League.
