The Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan has called upon Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir to engage in open politics rather than operating under cover, if they wish to lead Bangladesh forward in a democratic continuum.
He made the statement as a special guest while addressing a prize distribution ceremony, discussion meeting, and cultural programme organised by “Komol Kuri” at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University on Friday at 3pm.
Addressing the audience, Rashed observed that while Chhatra Dal practices open politics, Chhatra Shibir remains active on campus under various guises- sometimes as a social organisation, sometimes as a pressure group, and at times presenting themselves as general students.
He said that if Chhatra Shibir carried out their political activities openly, Chhatra Dal would have no grounds for objection.
He further alleged that Chhatra Shibir is establishing a form of control on the campus under various named and anonymous guises, urging the university administration to look into the matter.
In contrast, he said that Chhatra Dal is not engaging in any form of dominance, has not occupied any residential halls, and has not reinstated the “gonoroom” (mass room) or “guestroom” system.
He noted, Chhatra Dal is practicing democratic politics across Bangladesh through the development of merit, whereas Chhatra Shibir is constructing various narratives to obstruct Chhatra Dal’s democratic activities.
Criticising efforts by a quarter following the mass uprising and ahead of the national election to build a narrative equating Chhatra Dal with Chhatra League, Rashed Khan emphasised that there are clear differences between the two student organisations.
Reflecting on past activities at Dhaka University, he mentioned that they had launched numerous student movements on campus, during which they faced constant obstacles and torture from Chhatra League.
He added that they were repeatedly attacked while fighting against Indian hegemony, noting that the former “gonoroom” and “guestroom” practices no longer exist.
Additionally, Rashed Khan raised questions regarding the absence of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on the streets during the July movement, while also questioning the circumstances surrounding the arrests of the party’s leaders.
