Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has called on students protesting the quota system in government jobs to await the court’s decision and return to their classrooms and exams. BCL expressed its stance on the ongoing anti-quota movement at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen, Dhaka University, today (July 11, 2024) at 12 pm. Saddam Hussain, President of BCL central committee, emphasized the necessity of considering the court’s observations. “Seeking orders from the executive department alone is not wise. Good decisions take time. Mob justice cannot be commendable,” Hussain said. Quota protesters to observe half-day ‘Bangla Blockade’ tomorrow Highlighting the importance of the quota system, the BCL president said, “The quota system is an inclusive framework that ensures participation and gender balance. The government and the High Court are actively working to resolve this issue. Students need to be patient.” He further clarified, “This is not an anti-discrimination student movement. Statistics show that quotas are essential for ensuring gender balance and an inclusive administration.” Addressing the impact of the ongoing protests, the BCL president criticized the disruption caused by road and rail blockades. “Students are creating a crisis, leading to public suffering. These issues must be resolved through policy discussions and strategic actions. We urge students to return to their classes,” he said. Bangla Blockade: Students block Barishal-Dhaka highway

The High Court on Monday stayed the decision of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) authorities restricting politics on the campus.The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, also a Buet student and a leader of Chhatra League, whose hall allotment was cancelled recently amid students’ protest against the gathering of some BCL leaders on the campus defying ban. BCL no longer hiding its intention to rule BUET campusThe HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the decision of Buet authorities banning politics on the campus, taken in 2019, should not be declared illegal.Secretary to the Home Ministry, Buet Vice-Chancellor and its registrar were made respondents to the rule.Senior Advocate Shaha Manjurul Haque stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Samrendra Nath Biswas and assistant attorney general Abul Kalam Khan Daud represented the state.Advocate Manjurul said with this order there is no bar to continue student politics on the campus.On October 7, 2019, Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the university's Sher-e-Bangla Hall in the early hours.On October 11, same year, Buet authorities banned student politics on the campus. It also issued a notification in this regard. Don’t want BUET to become a breeding ground for negative political activities and militancy: QuaderOn July 19 2023, the Buet authorities again issued a notice prohibiting students and teachers from participation in politics on the campus. They issued the notice following media reports about the names of the members of BCL Central Committee where some students of Buet also got some posts in the committee.On Thursday night , some BCL leaders including the president Saddam Hossain entered the campus, sparking anger among general students.The staged demonstrations the following day protesting bid to revive political activities of BCL. They also held a press conference in front of Buet Shaheed Mianr on that day and continued their demonstration till Friday evening after taking position in front of the office of Directorate of Student Welfare on the campus.Later, the authorities concerned cancelled the hall allocation of Imtiaz who allegedly played a vital role in facilitating the entry of the BCL men. A probe body was formed in this connection and it was asked to submit its report within April 8.

At least three student organisations have protested the "Chhatra League attack" on a group of students in front of Bangabandhu Tower on Dhaka University campus. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and Bangladesh Chhatra Federation issued official protest notifications late last night against "BCL’s attack" earlier yesterday, calling it "heinous". DU Law Dept Students say BCL men attacked their discussion JCD’s notification -- signed by its DU unit president Gonsesh Chandra Ray Sahos and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Sipon -- reads, “Awami League’s student wing BCL thinks that everyone must follow the ideals of BCL and no one can oppose their ideology. That’s why they want to eradicate other ideologies by oppressing them. Such behaviour is nothing but a sign of fascism. We are protesting this heinous attack on students.” Central President of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Bin Yamin Molla, and General Secretary, Ariful Islam Adeeb, also condemned the attack and issued a notification on behalf of the organisation. “Chhatra League has created a reign of terror in the last 15 years. The latest of which is today's (yesterday) attack on a discussion about Ramadan at DU,” the notification reads. DU students protest SUST, NUST decision to ban Iftar parties Demanding immediate identification of the attackers and legal action against the culprits, they called upon all students across the country to stand against the "violent politics" of Chhatra League and strongly condemn such attacks. Following the attack, students of DU's Law Department staged an immediate protest rally at the base of Raju Bhashkorjo at 5:20 pm on Wednesday as all the attacked students are from the Law department’s 48 batch. Abrar Fahad event row: Protest rally held at Dhaka University

In a harrowing incident at Jahangirnagar University (JU), allegations have emerged against two individuals – including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader – of raping a woman after holding her husband captive in a residential hall. The incident, which took place on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night around 9:30 pm near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall’s adjacent forest, has led to the suspension of the accused from the university unit of BCL. The accused have been identified as Mostafizur Rahman, a 45th batch student of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, and Mamun, a 45-year-old outsider. Mostafizur, a resident student of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and the International Affairs Secretary of the university’s Chhatra League unit, is known to be a follower of the unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel. Both Mostafizur and Mamun have been on the run since the incident. Inspector Abdur Rasik of Savar Model Police Station reported that the victim personally informed the police of the ordeal. “We are heading to the scene for preliminary investigation. Further actions will depend on the investigation’s outcome,” he stated. Following the incident’s exposure, over 50 students staged a protest in front of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, demanding answers from the administration with slogans such as “Why are there rapists on campus?” and “We want a rape-free campus.” The victim, a resident of Ashulia, revealed that the accused Mamun used to rent a room in their house and had prior acquaintance with Mostafizur. Mamun occasionally stayed with Mostafizur in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. Mamun had invited her husband to visit the university under the pretext of purchasing furniture. On the evening of the incident, the victim’s husband informed Mamun about their plan to buy furniture. Mamun then instructed the husband to call his wife to the university, suggesting she bring some clothes for Mamun as he would be staying on campus for a few days. Read more: Rape case in Uttara: Main suspect, associate arrested Subsequently, Mostafizur and Mamun confined the victim’s husband in room 317 of the ‘A’ block of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. When the woman arrived with the clothes, Mamun took them and later deceived her into going to the forested area near the hall under the pretense of meeting her husband from another gate, where she alleges both men raped her. Despite multiple attempts to contact Mostafizur, he remained unresponsive. His phone was later found to be turned off. Professor Sabbir Alam, provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, stated, “I have heard about the incident. Actions will be taken based on the investigation.” Efforts are underway to identify the accused through CCTV footage. Akhtaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit of Chhatra League, announced that Mostafizur had been temporarily expelled from the organization, with recommendations for permanent expulsion to be sent to the central committee. ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan, the university’s proctor, affirmed, “Regardless of who is involved, we will ensure punishment through both law and university regulations.” Read more: Youth’s body cut into nine pieces recovered; ex-BCL leader, 4 others arrested

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League, has dissolved its Chittagong University (CU) unit committee.A press release signed by BCL president Saddam Hussain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan was issued in this regard on Sunday. Also read: JCD condemns police 'assault' on BCL leadersThe decision was taken at an emergency meeting of BCL, it said. Also read: BCL rally disrupts life on DU campus  

Eight activists from the Islamic University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League, have been suspended from the organisation temporarily for violating its rules and regulations.  A press release, signed by IU BCL unit President Faisal Siddiqi Arafat and General Secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy, was issued on this matter this morning.  Read: 5 injured in BCL factional clash at Islamic University The suspended activists are: Sabbir Khan, Shamim Reza, Akib Masud Anubhav, Parvez Hossain Banat and Abdul Quader of BCL's Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall unit; Ashik Quraishi of Sheikh Russel Hall unit;  Shahdullah Siddiqui Saimun; and Tasin Azad of Jatir Pita Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit. According to the press release, the activists were suspended from the student organisation as they were allegedly involved in "anti-organisational activities." IU BCL unit President Faisal Siddiqi Arafat told UNB that they suspended the eight activists from the organisation temporarily for violating its rules and regulations.  Read: Another first-year student at Islamic University alleges torture by BCL activists They also submitted a written statement to the BCL central body for their permanent expulsion, he added. Earlier on Sunday, a discussion programme marking the 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day, was held at Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium in the morning. IU BCL's Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall unit activist Shamim Hossain, a student of law department under 2018-19 academic session, locked into an altercation with BCL's Sheikh Russel Hall unit activist Ashik Quraishi, student of management department under 2019-20 academic session, over entering the auditorium to take part in the programme.  Read:3 BCL activists vandalised Islamic University’s medical centre, says duty doctor Following the altercation, two groups -- one led by the Ziaur Rahman Hall unit and another led by Sheikh Russel Hall unit -- swooped on each other with sharp weapons in front of Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium around 2 pm. The clash left five people from both groups, including Muftain Ahmed Sakib, injured on the spot. Fellow students rescued the injured and took them to the IU Medical Centre for treatment. Sakib suffered knife injuries during the clash.

General secretary of Jhenaigati upazila unit Bangladesh Chhatra League Shahriar Khan Shaon was expelled over rape attempt. Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Central Executive Committee expelled Shaon for attempting to rape an indigenous college student, said a press release, signed by its president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Imon, published  on its website on Tuesday. Besides, the committee also dissolved the Jhenaigati upazila unit Bangladesh Chhatra League due to its inactivity for a long period. Also Read: BCL blamed for torturing students suspected as Shibir activists in Pabna According to the release, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Central Executive Committee has expelled Shaon for breaching party discipline and involvement in criminal activities which tarnished its image. On Saturday, Shaon swooped on the house of a Garo girl adjacent to Gazni Holiday Centre in Jhenaigati upazila and tried to violate. Also Read: BCL attack injures five JCD members The girl lodged a complaint with police on Monday and police arrested Shaon over attempting to rape the girl.          

The High Court on Wednesday ordered the Islamic University authorities to suspend its five female students who were found involved in the torture and humiliation of a first year student at Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall on the campus. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order. The court also asked the university authorities to remove the provost from the dormitory. The five students are—vice president of IU unit Bangladesh Chhatra League Sanjida Chowdhury Antara of Statistics Department, activists Tabassum Islam of Finance and Banking Department, Israt Zahan Meem of Law Department, Halima Khatun Urmi of Fine Arts Department, Moabiya of Finance and Banking Department. The five suspended students won’t be allowed to take part in the academic activists of the university and cannot stay on the campus, said the court. Besides, it asked the IU authorities to allot Fulpori Khatun  a dormitory as per her choice. Also Read: Torture of Fulpori demonstrates university admin’s failure: Judicial inquiry report Advocate Gazi Md Mohsin stood for the writ petitioner and Advocate Shah Manjurul Haque stood for Islamic University while Deputy Attorney General tushar Kanti Roy represented the state. On Tuesday, the judicial inquiry committee formed to probe the torture on Fulpori Khatun, a first year student of Banking and Finance Department of the university, found that the girl was tortured brutally and inhumanly and the university authorities failed to act properly. It also found the five students responsible for the incident. The report was submitted before High Court bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Raziq Al Jalil The HC bench fixed Wednesday for passing an order in this regard. Also Read: IU students demand expulsion of five BCL activists over torture at dormitory The inquiry committee found their involvement in the incident and said hall provost and house tutor totally failed to perform their responsibilities. The university proctor also showed negligence and indifference in discharging his duties, said the report. Fulpori, a first year student of Finance and Banking department, was tortured and humiliated by Islamic University unit of BCL vice-president Shanjida Chowdhury Antara and her cohorts at Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall on the campus in Kushtia on February 12. The incident came to light after the victim left the hall and disclosed the matter to her seniors and her family members the next day. The BCL leader also threatened that she would release the video on social media if the student discloses the matter to anyone, according to the complainant. The student lodged a written complaint with the university administration, including the university proctor, student adviser and the hall provost, demanding punishment of those involved in the incident on February 14. Two probe bodies were formed by the Islamic University authorities and the Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall administration after the victim’s complaints to them. The probe bodies submitted their probe reports to the university administration on Sunday. A writ petition was also filed by Gazi Mohammad Mohsin, an alumnus of the university and a lawyer, with the High Court. The Kushtia district administration, meanwhile, formed a three-member inquiry committee, led by additional district magistrate ANM Abujar Gifari, and asked it to submit the inquiry report within seven days following a High Court order on February 20. Accused BCL leader Antara and activist Tabassum left the hall following the High Court order. The five students were expelled from Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall on Monday as the hall authorities found their involvement in the assault on Fulpori.      

A Jahangirnagar University student has allegedly been tortured by some activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League  for not attending guest room and political programmes.  The victim, Sakibul Islam Farabbi, a student of the 49th batch of Statistics Department at the University and a resident of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall, gave a written complaint to the provost of the hall regarding the torture incident.  The incident took place last Friday (February 24) around 2 am at the university’s Rabindranath Tagore Hall. Also Read: 'Special exam' at JU: Opportunity turns to burden for students The accused BCL men are Junaid Hasan Rana of English Department, Naimul Islam Sagar of Pharmacy Department, Atiq Shahriar of History Department, Mohtashim Billah of Fine Arts Department, Utsa and Kabbo of Government and Politics Department, Junaid Ivan of Mathematics Department, Imran Mirza of Biochemistry and Bioscience Department and Saikat Islam of Physics Department. They are the students of the 48th batch of the University and followers of JU BCL unit president Akhtaruzzaman Shohel. They’re also residents of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore hall.  According to the written complaint, the BCL activists called the students of batch 49 of room no 216 to room no. 219 at 2 am on February 24. Later, the students were physically and mentally abused in various ways by the Chhatra League activists. The BCL men later locked the rooms of the students and forced them to spend the night in the guest room.  While talking to UNB, Farabbi said, “the BCL men asked me why I didn't attend the guest room and political programs? I said I was away for a departmental tour and was also preoccupied with my exams.” Later, the BCL men asked Farabbi to leave the hall.  “After they asked me to leave the hall, I said this hall was allocated in my name and I won’t leave.Then they asked me to undress. So when I refused to undress, they got angry and started beating me,” Farabi said.  “My friends came from the next room and took me away after hearing my screams. Then we spent the rest of the night in the guest room of the hall,” Farabbi told UNB.  However, the accused BCL men denied the allegations of torture.  Denying the allegations, Atiq Shahriar, one of the accused, said that there was no incident of beating or torture.  “The complainant was misbehaving with his friends. He threw one of his friends out of the room. So we went to convince him,” he said.  Another accused, Imran Mirza, claimed the allegation was ‘baseless.’  However, Shakib, a student of the International Department and a witness of the incident, said, "I moved from the room after hearing the sound of slapping."  “Then I saw some of our seniors from the 48th batch beating Farabbi. Later, I escorted him out of the room," he added.  Aktaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit BCL, said, "The Chhatra League has declared zero tolerance against ragging.” “Such incidents are not acceptable. If the allegation of torture is true, organizational action will be taken against those involved,” said Sohel.  Professor Nazmul Hossain Talukder, the provost of Rabindranath Tagore Hall, said strict action will be taken following an investigation.        

At least three students were injured in a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) Chittagong University (CU) unit on Friday evening. Eye-witnesses told UNB that supporters of the ‘Bijoy’group were divided into two factions  and clashed with each other, leaving three students injured and vandalising eight rooms of Suhrawardy Hall. Members of both the groups were seen with local weapons in their hall premises. Acting Proctor of Chittagong University (CU) Dr. Shahidul Islam said that police went immediately after hearing the news. Police brought the situation under control. None of the leaders could be reached despite repeated attempts.