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Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka University unit has showcased photographs of eight leaders executed as war criminals during the Awami League regime, labelling them victims of “judicial killings”.
The exhibition is part of a three-day programme titled “July 36: We Will Not Stop” organised to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising, reports bdnews24.com.
Among those featured were Motiur Rahman Nizami, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Abdul Quader Molla, Mir Quasem Ali, and the BNP’s Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and all of whom were convicted of war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
The display at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on Tuesday drew protests after students saw the images circulate online.
Naureen Sultana Toma, a student of mass communication and journalism at DU, said: “On the 5th of August, while commemorating the mass uprising, the display of notorious war criminals by Chhatra Shibir has dishonoured Dhaka University.
“They’ve clearly used the memory of the Uprising to amplify an anti-Liberation War message.”
Sarba Mitra, a student of sociology, expressed outrage. “As a student of this university, I strongly condemn Shibir’s exhibition of war criminals and collaborators at TSC. The blood of ’71 may dry, but we cannot forget those who committed mass murder and rape.
“Both ’71 and ’24 are part of our history—those who attempt to glorify war criminals by pitching one against the other deserve nothing but disgust.”
“On the night of the 14th of July, students of this university shouted, ‘Who are you, who am I? Rajakar, Rajakar!’ in fury,” he added. “If Shibir believes it can normalise or glorify these war criminals to today’s students, it will only invite hatred.”
In response to the controversy, SM Farhad, president of Chhatra Shibir’s DU chapter, said: “’71 is a proud chapter of Bangladesh, and no student organisation can deny that. But we have seen how Hasina staged the judiciary like a Skyfi drama. She manipulated verdicts at will.
“Witnesses were disappeared, sent to India, lawyers were tortured and detained in secret cells. That is why we call these executions ‘judicial killings’.”
He added, “Whatever happened under this ‘fascist’ regime, we’ve tried to bring it all forward. This is why we’ve displayed this.
“If the judiciary were fair, we would have accepted the verdicts. But the judicial system under the Awami League remains questionable.”
The event is set to end on Aug 7.
It features a July-themed photo exhibition, documentary screenings on the Uprising, revolutionary songs and poetry, stories of martyred families and injured fighters, plays, mime performances, panel debates and discussion sessions.
On-site, a symbolic Ganabhaban has been constructed on TSC’s Sabuj Chattar, named “Fateh Ganabhaban”.
A separate installation called July 36 Express has also been set up.
The exhibition also displayed historic photos and slogans from the July movement, showing revolutionary female figures, scenes of Ganabhaban’s occupation, and images of martyrs, including Abu Sayed.