Student organisation Biplobi Chhatra Maitree has demanded an investigation into the deaths of more than 300 children from measles across the country and called for the trial of former chief adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus and former health adviser Nurjahan Begum.
It also urged authorities to declare measles an epidemic and take comprehensive measures to contain its spread.
The demand was made at a protest rally held at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus on Wednesday.
Speakers at the rally alleged that the previous administration failed to control the outbreak and demanded accountability of the then head of government and the health adviser over the reported deaths.
Biplobi Chhatra Maitree General Secretary Jabir Ahmed Jubel alleged that the interim government had “pushed children towards death for its own gain” and should face strict punishment.
He said measles had spread to 58 of the country’s 64 districts and urged the government to declare it an epidemic and take swift preventive measures.
Jubel further claimed that authorities had taken no effective steps to contain the outbreak, and said they appeared to be “waiting to see how many more children would die”.
He also criticised Ducsu leaders for opposing a proposal to set up a temporary medical camp for measles patients at the Dhaka University central playground.
Dhaka University unit general secretary Zahidul Islam Riyad said more than 300 children had officially died of measles in hospitals so far, adding that grieving parents were seen outside hospitals and on the streets.
He alleged that at the time, former chief adviser Dr Yunus had travelled to Japan and “exchanged flowers with Japanese children”, while child deaths in Bangladesh were treated as a “transactional fault” by the government.
Riyad also claimed earlier warnings had been ignored and that vaccine procurement tenders were floated with an emphasis on cost-cutting rather than quality for financial and business gains.
Organisation president Dilip Roy said the measles crisis was “not natural but man-made”. He added that while various issues are discussed in parliament, matters such as measles and international agreements are often overlooked. He also criticised political parties, including Jamaat and BNP, for failing to take a clear stance.
Referring to the “Tawhidi Janata”, he said that while they chant slogans against Delhi, in reality they lean towards Washington.
Jubel added that infected patients must receive prompt treatment and that steps should be taken to prevent further spread, warning that a stronger movement would be launched if measures are not taken.