Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) to live up to its political ideals and make it a dignified organization alongside earning the confidence and trust of one’s fellow countrymen.
The premier said: “All Chhatra League leaders should bear in mind its contribution in all the democratic movements including the language movement, the six-point demand, and the Liberation War,” reports BSS.
The premier simultaneously asked BCL leaders and activists to behave, talk, and do politics in a way that would make the organization a dignified one.
She was speaking as chief guest at a grand reunion of incumbent and former leaders of BCL, marking its 72nd founding anniversary at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday afternoon.
Noting that Chhatra League had always played a significant role in any critical juncture of the nation, she said the BCL should work to win the confidence and trust of the nation.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with Al-Nahean Khan Joy and Lekhak Bhattacharya at Suhrawady Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, January 4, 2020 | Focus Bangla
The premier declared Al Nahiyan Khan Joy and Lekhak Bhattacharya president and general secretary respectively of BCL.
Sheikh Hasina witnessed a colourful cultural function organized by the BCL.
AL Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed, Road Transport, and Bridges Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader spoke as former presidents, and Khaled Mohammad Ali as an ex-general secretary of the BCL.
AL Presidium Member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanok introduced former BCL presidents and general secretaries to the gathering.
A documentary on the role of BCL in all the democratic and progressive movements including the Liberation War of 1971 was screened on the occasion.
At the outset of the function, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other late BCL leaders.
BCL leaders sacrificed their lives for the country
Recalling the glorious role of the BCL in all past movements of the country, Sheikh Hasina said the organization founded by Bangabandhu made important contributions to all past progressive struggles.
“If we prepare a list of shaheeds (martyrs), then we will see the names of Chhatra League leaders and activists who established the rights of the people by sacrificing their lives,” she said.
She paid rich tribute to the BCL leaders who sacrificed their lives for the people.
The premier said: “Bangabandhu had established the Chhatra League on January 4 1948, a time when Pakistanis tried to snatch away our mother tongue. The Chhatra League was organized to support the Language Movement.”
In this context, she said an attempt was made to erase Bangabandhu’s name from the history of the Language Movement: “Many say, ‘what could Bangabandhu do for the Language Movement? He was in jail at that time!’ ”
Rebutting their opinion in this regard, she posed a question: “Why was Bangabandhu in jail at that time?”
He (Bangabandhu) was in jail for organizing the Language Movement, Sheikh Hasina said.
The historic March 7, 1971 speech of Bangabandhu is now internationally recognized while UNESCO is set to jointly celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the Bangladesh government.
The premier said Bangabandhu entrusted Chhatra League leaders and workers with the task of taking to the people the “Joy Bangla” slogan, the 6-point and the 11-point demand, and the proposed flag of an independent Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said the Chhatra League first protested the assassination of the Father of the Nation and most of his family on August 15, 1975. They were disappointed when she and her sister were not allowed to enter the country for six years following the death of Bangabandhu.
Quoting Bangabandhu, she said the history of the Bangalee nation embodies the history of Chhatra League.
The premier urged BCL leaders and workers to follow the ideals and philosophy of Bangabandhu, saying: “The Father of the Nation never thought of his own personal wellbeing, but rather the welfare of the people and the country.”
In this context, she recalled that Bangabandhu’s studentship at Dhaka University was stripped off when he refused to give a muchleka (affidavit) for his involvement in establishing the rights of fourth class employees at Dhaka University.
The premier asked BCL leaders and activists to read the two books written by Bangabandhu, namely “Asamapta Atmajiboni” and “Karagarer Rojnamcha,” saying, “If you want to be leaders, you should read these books to learn good politics.”
She also asked the BCL leaders to read the Pakistani intelligence report on Bangabandhu from which they could learn the true history of Bangladesh and the work of Bangabandhu.
The premier called the year 2020 very important for Bangladesh since the country is set to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation from March 2020 to March 2021, declared “Mujib Borsha.” The countdown of the celebration will start from January 10 next, as Bangabandhu returned to the country on that day in 1971.