Dhaka University (DU) unit of Jatiyotabadi Chattra Dal (JCD) leaders said that university reforms remain a 'distant dream' whilst warning that ordinary students face mounting threats from terrorist groups.
During a torch procession demanding justice for slain BNP leader Abdur Rahim Sikder, DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos highlighted the deteriorating security situation across educational institutions.
Wednesday night's demonstration saw JCD activists march through key campus streets before gathering at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture.
The protest coincided with the anniversary of last year's student uprising that began on 16 July 2024, when students Shaheed Abu Sayed and Wasim Akram sparked nationwide demonstrations.
Sahos condemned the brutal murder of BNP Joint Secretary General Rahim Uddin Sikder by local Jamaat operatives in Cox's Bazar, demanding 'highest level of justice' for the killing.
He emphasised that reforms have taken a backseat to basic safety concerns, stating ordinary students now face "threats from terrorist factions."
The student leader delivered a damning assessment of the interim government's performance, revealing that 1,245 killings have occurred within a year of the August uprising.
"After the mass uprising on 5 August, the student-public had faith in the government that came to power," Sahos said, expressing profound disappointment at the administration's failure to maintain law and order.
General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon described the situation as 'deeply tragic,' noting the irony of protesting against the very government that emerged from their movement.
Demonstrators chanted slogans including ‘Lorai lorai lorai chai, lorai kore bachte chai’ (We want struggle, we want to survive through struggle), ‘Fasibader thikana, ei Banglay hobe na’ (The home of fascism will not be in this Bengal), ‘Ainshrinkhalar obonoti, interim-er e kon niti’ (Law and order in decline, what kind of policy is this from the interim?), ‘Dilli geche shoiraachar, Pindi jabe rajakar’ (“Tyranny has gone to Delhi, collaborators will go to Pindi”), ‘Amar bhaiyer rokto, britha jete debo na’ (My brother’s blood will not let it go in vain) and ‘Rohim hotyar bichar chai, korte hobe korte hobe’ (We want justice for Rohim’s murder, it must be done, it must be done).
NRE/SH
