Chattradal rally at Dhaka University welcomes new President of Bangladesh
Agamir Somoy photo.
A joyous rally and brief gathering was held by Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chattradal (BNP's student wing) on the Dhaka University campus and around the Central Shaheed Minar to mark the completion of 180 days of the current government and to welcome the newly elected President of Bangladesh.
Leaders, activists, and general students from various levels of the organisation participated in the rally, led by Tarek Hasan Mamun, Joint Secretary of the central Chattradal. The rally started from the Central Shaheed Minar, paraded through various important roads on the campus, and ended at the foot of the Raju Sculpture, where a short gathering was held.
At the gathering, Tarek Hasan Mamun criticised the previous government, saying that the Sheikh Hasina's government, which fled the country in the face of public anger, has been consigned to the dustbin of history. He said the current government has taken various education-friendly and pro-people initiatives in its 180 days.
He mentioned that to ensure higher education opportunities for underprivileged students, education loans of up to Tk 10 lakh without collateral have been introduced, and the 're-admission fee' in educational institutions has been abolished. Additionally, the amount of merit scholarships has been doubled. He also highlighted the introduction of 'Family Cards' for low-income people, 'Health Cards' for healthcare, and 'Farmer Cards' for farmers.
Furthermore, he mentioned the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for farmers and the initiative to introduce PayPal to facilitate international transactions for freelancers.
Highlighting the government's various development activities, Tarek Hasan Mamun said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government has proven that we believe in action, not just words.
Calling for maintaining a healthy political environment on campus, he also warned against covert politics. He alleged that Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir is trying to revive its old clandestine politics, arms culture, and violent politics. Chattradal, together with general students, will resist these malicious attempts.
Tarek Hasan Mamun further said that merit, logic, and creativity will be the motto of the nationalist student body. Those who try to destabilise the campus will be resisted together with general students.
At the end of his speech, he expressed the resolve to build a happy, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh in light of the 19-point programme of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the struggles of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and the 31-point agenda announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The gathering concluded with the slogan: "We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh comes first."
