Banned Chhatra League posters put up under cover of night at JU
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Posters bearing the name of a leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League have been put up at key locations inside and around the Jahangirnagar University campus. The posters, which were pasted under the cover of night, have sparked widespread discussion.
A visit to the campus found the posters displayed in front of Jahangirnagar University School and College, beside the newly built residential tower for employees, on electric poles near the Prantik Gate area and at the passenger shelter in the Bishmile Gate area, among several other busy locations.
The posters mention the name and initiative of Md. Sohel Rana, employment affairs secretary of the Jahangirnagar University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The posters read, “One year since the Gopalganj genocide,” “We demand a neutral investigation into the genocide against Chhatra League and Awami League surrounding the NCP march, and exemplary punishment for those responsible,” and “The farcical verdict against Sheikh Hasina must be canceled immediately, and all false cases must be withdrawn.”
Adri Ankur, president of the Jahangirnagar University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, said the situation had arisen because of the university administration’s failure and its previous lenient decisions. He said, “There is no question of allowing Chhatra League to carry out its political activities at the university, especially when Chhatra League’s politics has been banned across the country. Even under these circumstances, this kind of poster campaign by Chhatra League at various places inside the university is deeply concerning.”
He believes Chhatra League leaders and activists were able to put up the posters inside the university mainly because of what he described as the university administration’s farcical handling of cases over attacks on protesters during the July mass uprising. He said only nominal punishment had been given to Chhatra League members and Awami League aligned teachers who allegedly supported the attacks, despite what he described as attempted killings of protesting students. As a result, he said, leaders and activists of the banned student organization had gained the confidence to carry out such activities.
Wasim Ahmed Anik, member secretary of the Jahangirnagar University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, “Under the country’s existing laws, no organization that has been declared banned has the right to conduct political activities. We have seen how Chhatra League used to oppress students through the Gonoroom and Guestroom culture.”
Criticizing the administration, he said, “We can see that important positions in the university administration are still occupied by associates of the fascist regime. They are providing Chhatra League with all the information. That is why Chhatra League is getting the opportunity to carry out such activities under the cover of night.”
Professor Nazrul Islam, the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Administration, said, “I have informed the police administration about these matters on various occasions, but they have not been able to trace those involved. We will take action on this matter.”
