National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam on Tuesday alleged that Bangladesh's educational institutions are once again being turned into “sanctuaries of terror”, claiming a familiar pattern of campus and hall grabbing is being repeated.
“Today, an attack was carried out on Jagannath University's Central Students’ Union representatives and the leadership of Chhatra Shakti. Chhatra Dal is trying to take control of various educational institutions, including Dhaka College and Dhaka Alia Madrasah. In Habiganj, our brother Alif had his eyes gouged out,” he said.
Nahid was addressing a discussion titled “From Resistance to Victory: Legacy of July” at Aftabnagar in the capital, organised by the combined private university unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti to mark the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising.
Urging the government to learn lessons from the past, he said authorities should avoid getting into confrontations with students and instead allow them to pursue their studies without disruption.
The NCP leader also called for preserving the democratic culture of educational institutions and ensuring employment opportunities for students.
“This government seems to believe that since it is in power, it can seize everything. Sheikh Hasina had thought the same, and you have all seen the consequences,” he said, drawing a parallel with the ousted former prime minister.
Highlighting the contribution of private university students to the July uprising, the opposition chief whip described their role as a “trump card” of the mass movement, saying the authoritarian government had never anticipated that private university students would take to the streets in such numbers.
“After the crackdown on July 17, everyone thought there was no one left to carry the movement forward. We remember the sacrifices of private university students with deep respect. Their role needs recognition and proper documentation. Unfortunately, this government has taken no initiative regarding private universities,” he said.
Among others, NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, political council member Ali Ahsan Zonaed, Joint Member Secretary Rafe Salman Rifat, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan, and General Secretary Abu Baker Majumder, along with other private university leaders, spoke as special guests at the discussion.