BRAHMANBARIA – More than a hundred students who actively participated in the July mass uprising have officially joined the Jatiyotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The students were welcomed into the fold during an inauguration and reunion ceremony organized by the District Chhatra Dal on Saturday afternoon at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Bhasha Chattar in the city.
A Heroic Welcome
Khaled Hossain Mahbub, also known as Shyamal, the central Economic Affairs Secretary of the BNP and President of the District unit, attended the event as the chief guest. He personally welcomed each student with flowers.
Before the formal addresses, the gathering observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the July mass uprising and in honor of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Highlighting Student Leadership
Addressing the newcomers, Khaled Hossain Mahbub emphasized the pivotal role of students in the movement against the previous administration.
“This July mass uprising would not have happened, and the fascist government would not have fallen, if the students had not come forward. They showed immense courage,” he stated.
He further noted:
- The Shift in Activism: Historically, movements were led by public university students, but private university students were at the forefront of the July uprising.
- A Global Trend: He compared the movement to revolutions in Iran, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, where students led the charge due to their lack of “vested interests.”
- The Role of JCD: He mentioned that Chhatra Dal leaders provided behind-the-scenes inspiration and support during the protests.
Concerns Over the “Fascist Hangover”
Khaled Hossain Mahbub expressed concern that the spirit of the uprising is being dimmed. He claimed that “fascist elements” are returning to positions of power within the administration and urged the new members to prevent a repetition of past wrongdoings.
“We want to reform Chhatra Dal into a modern, time-befitting organization, moving away from old patterns,” he promised the students.
Event Participants
The program, moderated by District BNP Joint Secretary Mainul Hossain, featured several speakers including:
- Sajidur Rahman, Joint Convenor of District Chhatra Dal.
- Mohaiminul Azbin, a student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and a key organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Movement in the district.
- Ashish Bhowmick and Tonni Akter, students of the University of Brahmanbaria.
- Mahim Uddin, a student of Sonargaon University.
