Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) and Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUcsu) brought out protest rallies condemning the attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) leaders.
Cucsu's rally began at around 11:30pm on Thursday from the university’s Zero Point and marched through Suhrawardy Hall and in front of Alaol Hall before ending at Zero Point.
From the procession, protesters called for peaceful and tolerant student politics, urging all sides to practise restraint. They also demanded swift justice for those involved in the assault.
Cucsu General Secretary Sayeed Bin Habib said, “When Ducsu representatives went to rescue a confined student, they were attacked. Even on-duty journalists were not spared. Similar incidents occurred earlier at Kuet. Outsiders are being brought in deliberately to create unrest on campus.”
“You were once oppressed; do not become oppressors. History has shown the consequences of oppression,” he added.
Cucsu Vice President Ibrahim Roni said, “We were supposed to be at our study tables today. After August 5, we believed that the politics of violence would come to an end. But attempts are being made to revive it, mainly due to a lack of organisational base.”
Photo: Star
In JnU, JnUcsu's procession began around 11:45pm from the university’s Shanto Chattar and marched through the campus and Bahadur Shah Park before ending with a brief rally at the main gate.
At the post-march rally, JnUcsu Vice-President (VP) Riazul Islam alleged that the government is trying to create unrest on campuses to divert attention from issues such as the fuel crisis and load shedding.
JnUcsu General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif said “neo-fascist forces” were re-emerging and called for lessons to be learned from past political consequences.
He termed the attack on Ducsu leaders AB Zubair and Musaddiq Ali Ibne Muhammad and journalists “unacceptable” and demanded proper investigation.
JnUcsu Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Masud Rana, claimed those attacked were “fellow fighters of July”. He issued an ultimatum to the authorities to ensure swift justice.
Our CU and JnU correspondents contributed to this article.
