Environmental activists and leaders of 50 organisations termed the recent comments of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club President Manjur Kader on the Dhanmondi playground issue as a reiteration made by the “ghost” of late former Pakistan dictator General Ayub Khan, yesterday.
The protesters made the remarks at a rally held in front of the National Press club in the morning.
They further alleged that residents of Dhanmondi and its adjacent areas are not allowed to enter the playground due to the boundary walls and tight security measures enforced by the private sporting club. Children residing in the area have also been barred from playing at the venue.
The activists also noted that the club’s president Manjur Kader spoke like the “ghost of General Ayub Khan,” when he cited that playground had been reserved for the society’s elite by the late former Pakistani dictator.
Earlier on Saturday, Manjur Kader while addressing a press briefing said: “This is why only the elite living in the Dhanmondi area will use the playground. It’s not for street children, and not for all.”
Manjur, however, did not mention whom he considered to be part of the elite class in the residential area.
The activists also pressed home its 4-point demands, which included the withdrawal of the false suit against environmental activists and the demolishing of illegal establishments of the occupier and opening the playground for all.
The rally, chaired by the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas, Port-Power and Mineral Resources leader Ruhin Hussain Prince, was also addressed by the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin, Jahangirnagar University former vice chancellor Professor Saleh Ahmed and Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) President Abu Naser Khan.
Addressing the rally Ruhin Hussain Prince said: “The real owners of the Dhanmondi playground are the general people. So the general people should file suits against the grabbers of a public playground. Instead, the grabbers have filed suits against the environmental green activists, who are fighting to recover the grabbed playground.”
He further alleged that many groups are now using portraits of Bangabandhu’s family members for personal gain.
“The general public should protest against this ‘Pakistani ghost’ immediately,” he added.
He also said the movement to free the public playground will continue and will not be deterred by lawsuits and arrests.
Professor Saleh Ahmed said: “The club authority has misinterpreted the High Court order and thus, we urge the government to open the public playground to all.”
Bapa General Secretary Abdul Matin said: “The club has been using funds from the Bangabandhu Trust for commercial activities, which is illegal.”
Demanding the withdrawal of the false lawsuit against the environment activists, he further urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to direct authorities to open the playground for all as the children in the capital have no place for recreational activities and sports.
