In response to the recent attack on students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organized a protest march and rally at Dhaka University (DU) on Tuesday evening. The demonstration, which began at 8:00 p.m. in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture, moved through the VC’s office area before returning to the sculpture for a brief gathering.
During the rally, Zakir Hossain Monju, the convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement from private universities, addressed the crowd, warning that if any group attempts to imitate the actions of Chhatra League and attacks students again, the private university students will once again take to the streets. He emphasized that the style of Chhatra League and fascist attacks would not be tolerated in the “new Bangladesh.”
Secretary of the movement, Arif Sohel, also spoke at the rally, expressing deep concern over the resurgence of brutal attacks reminiscent of the violence faced during the July-August period of the previous year. He condemned the justification of such violence, especially in the style of Chhatra League, and reiterated that they would not allow a return to those days of oppression. Sohel declared that they would stand firm against anyone who seeks to revive the politics of violence and threats with stamps, sticks, or swords, as seen in the past.
Sohel added, “We want to make it clear that after August 5, the safety of every citizen’s life and property is paramount. No one has the right to harm others, and we will not return to the Bangladesh of the past. Our brothers and sisters did not die in vain during the July-August period. We carry the responsibility of their bloodshed, and we will not compromise with those who attempt to justify violent acts like those of Chhatra League. We will stand against them and will not back down.”
