The Dhaka University (DU) chapter of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir hosted a photo exhibition titled "Diary of Dictator" on Monday at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) Auditorium, aimed at shedding light on the alleged brutality perpetrated by the Awami League against dissenting voices since 2006.
The event mainly served as a memorial for those who lost their lives during the tumultuous events of October 28, 2006.
The exhibition featured a comprehensive collection of photographs depicting the violence faced by Shibir leaders and activists, who were targeted by the Awami League and its affiliated groups, including the terrorist Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
Notably, it also included images of victims from other political parties and student organisations.
One segment, titled "Terrorism on Campus: The Culmination of Fascism," showcased harrowing images of the brutal killings of individuals such as Biswajit, Abul Kalam Asad, Abrar Fahad, and Selim Hossain, all reportedly victims of BCL violence.
Another section, "Hasina's Realm of Enforced Disappearances," featured photographs of prominent BNP leaders, including Salahuddin Ahmed and M Ilias Ali, emphasising the grim reality of political disappearances in the country.
The "October 28: Paltan Tragedy" segment depicted the violent crackdown of the Awami League's Logi Boitha Andolon, which resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen people.
The exhibition also highlighted the plight of the nation's security forces, displaying images of 83 martyrs, including 57 army officers, who were reportedly killed for opposing what was described as Hasina's dictatorship.
Additionally, it addressed the issue of border violence, showing the indiscriminate killings by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) with the "silent approval" of the Sheikh Hasina government.
The exhibition revealed that hundreds of protesters were killed by the Awami League government after the executions of Jamaat leaders from 2013 to 2016.
It also featured disturbing accounts of torture, as evidenced by photos of former Shibir Presidents Delwar Hossain and Shafiqul Islam Masud, who were allegedly abused in police custody.
According to the exhibition, at least 253 individuals lost their lives at the hands of BCL terrorists over the past 15 years of Awami League governance.
It also highlighted the vulnerability of women in society, citing 52,205 reported rape cases during the same period.
Graphic accounts included incidents of gang rape by AL and BCL members in various locations, illustrating a climate of fear and oppression.
