Abu Shadik Kayem, vice president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), has alleged that while a nationwide campaign supports a “Yes” vote in the proposed referendum to honor the martyrs of the July uprising, “sections of the state, the deep state, the media, and fascist forces” are actively promoting a “No” vote.
Shadik Kayem made the remarks Thursday at a mass gathering in front of the National Museum, organized as part of the nationwide referendum campaign by the Combined Students’ Councils.
“We must identify these enemies. They do not want the well-being of Bangladesh, they do not respect July, and they want to restore a fascist structure in the country,” he said.
Representatives from several student unions addressed the gathering, including Ducsu, Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (Jucsu), Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu), Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), and Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU).
Criticizing the Jatiya Party, Shadik Kayem alleged that those who “collaborated with the killer Hasina government over the past 16 years” are now campaigning for a “No” vote. He claimed some party leaders had played “anti-democratic roles” in the past and said, “For all the anti-people activities of the last 15 years, GM Quader and the Jatiya Party must be brought under trial.”
Referring to the July uprising, he claimed nearly 2,000 people were killed and 40,000 injured, accusing the Jatiya Party and certain individuals of being “among the masterminds,” though no evidence was presented to substantiate the claim.
Shadik Kayem further alleged that Sheikh Hasina fled to India in July and said that after the return of “a certain party and its great leader,” politics in Bangladesh seemed to follow “India’s prescription.” He warned that anyone engaging in politics in Bangladesh must oppose hegemony and “Indian collaborators.”
He concluded, “Those who do not uphold the spirit of the martyrs of the July uprising and choose to stand for a ‘No’ vote will face the people’s verdict on the 12th.”
