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Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, has moved the venue of the rally it had announced from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh for its Aug 3 programme as per a request of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib made the announcement at a press briefing at the central office in Naya Paltan on Wednesday, bdnews24.com reports.
He said, "Since we were the first to announce the student rally programme and also received permission from the appropriate authorities, we are the only ones with the legitimacy to hold the rally at the Central Shaheed Minar."
"Despite this, as an organisation that believes in liberal democratic coexistence, and is extremely tolerant and respectful of all views, we have decided to change the venue of our student rally, taking into account the request of the National Citizen Party.
“Jatiyatbadi Chhatra Dal has decided that our rally on Aug 3 will be held at Shahbagh instead of the Central Shaheed Minar," Rakib said.
"As an example of a purely liberal political stance, we express our regret in advance to the city’s residents for any unintended inconveniences that may arise on the busy roads of the capital due to this relocation."
Pointing to NCP leaders, he said: "We hope they will take into consideration the significance of this day and our change of venue."
The relocation came after repeated requests from NCP leaders, Rakib said.
COEXISTENCE AT HALLS
Rakib said, "In the past, when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ruled the country, minimal political coexistence was maintained on the campuses. Student organisations of all views and opinions used to have the opportunity to stay on the campus and conduct their activities.
“However, after 2008, this culture completely disappeared, and the now-banned organisation (Chhatra League) established a monopoly on all campuses. For 16 long years, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists continued to oppose the fascists on campuses, sacrificing their lives, careers and families.
“Despite enduring torture for a long time, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra Dal continued to play a responsible role after Aug 5 when the political scenario changed.”
He added, "Despite being the largest student organisation in the country, our leaders and activists have not occupied halls anywhere after Aug 5, have not occupied seats anywhere, and have not forcibly taken anyone to attend programmes anywhere.
“Despite playing the most effective role on the streets in the mass uprising of 2024, repeated attempts have been made to deny our contribution. Attempts have been made to corner us in various ways. Rumours and false propaganda have been shared against us. We were attacked online in nasty ways. We, on the other hand, have continued to pursue the politics of peace and coexistence.”
‘WE GIVE FLOWERS INSTEAD OF THORNS’
On the change of venue of the rally, the Chhatra Dal president said, "If we wanted, we could have held the rally at the announced venue. But instead of thorns, we are giving flowers.
“We are sending a message of peace and tolerance against provocation. We think we are setting a unique example of generosity instead of spreading unnecessary tension. We think this incident will remain a unique example of peace, harmony, generosity and goodwill in the history of student politics in Bangladesh.”
"Those who want to become the sole owners of the mass uprising after its success -- we hope that after this generosity, they will regain their senses and conduct their political activities in a proper and healthy manner.
“They should have the minimum respect for other views and opinions and leave behind the way of indiscretion. Today’s message is very clear. We want to have a positive, democratic, peaceful, co-existing, mutually respectful, cordial, and policy-based student politics in the country's educational institutions in the days to come. On this journey, generosity and tolerance will be the path of political power for the Bangladeshi nationalist movement."