The interim government has officially banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League. On Wednesday, October 23, a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that BCL has been categorised as a prohibited organisation.
The announcement sparked immediate reactions at Jagannath University, where students took to the streets in celebration with a procession at 10:30 PM. The decision has stirred widespread discussions across campus, with political leaders offering a range of responses, from endorsement to criticism.
Md. Iqbal Hossain, president of the Jagannath University wing of Islami Chhatra Shibir, welcomed the ban, stating, "Today is a lesson for all student organisations. Allah's promise is always fulfilled, and His justice has been realised." He added, "Those who committed crimes must be punished according to the law, but we must also ensure that innocent individuals aren't wrongfully targeted."
Ivan Tahseeb, convener of the Socialist Students' Front at JnU, voiced concerns about the next steps, saying, "BCL has been banned for its involvement in terrorist activities, which is a victory for the people's demands. However, the ban alone should not shield those responsible for the July massacre. Those who played a role in the killings must face justice."
Tousib Mahmud Shohan, former deputy office secretary of the Bangladesh Students' Rights Council, hailed the ban as a positive move for the country. "With the ban on BCL, Bangladesh takes a major step toward freeing itself from the curse left by the murders of Abrar and Abu Bakar. We urge the government not to stop at the ban but to swiftly bring the culprits to justice."
Since there were no instructions from the party, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Jagannath University (JnU) chose not to make any comments on BCL's ban.
