BCL dilly-dallying on revealing names of ‘controversial’ leaders
Protesters say, continue demos at DU
Bangladesh Chhatra League is yet to disclose the names of the 19 “controversial” leaders it dropped from its recently-announced central committee, as a faction of the organisation -- the student wing of ruling Awami League -- continued its protests over the matter yesterday.
On May 15, two days after announcing its 301-member central committee, BCL President Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon and General Secretary Golam Rabbani promised to expel 17 “controversial” members of its central committee within 24 hours, as per a directive of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.
On May 28, they vacated 19 posts, though the controversial leaders were not named, nor were it disclosed which posts were vacated.
A faction of BCL leaders who had been demonstrating since announcement of the committee, alleged that top leaders of the organisation are deceiving a group of dedicated leaders by violating commitments repeatedly, and said they have no faith in any assurance anymore.
They staged a sit-in at Raju sculpture on the DU campus for the eighth consecutive day yesterday, and vowed to continue it.
“Controversial leaders must be dropped as per the prime minister’s directive. Otherwise, we will launch tougher movement and will celebrate Eid at the Raju sculpture without our parents,” said Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Shajib, former deputy environmental secretary of the student body.
Tanvir Hasan Saikat, a former BCL member and an incumbent member of Ducsu, alleged that president and general secretary of the organisation are trying to back those controversial leaders, and that is why they are violating commitments and directive of the PM repeatedly.
When asked why the 19 were not named, Golam Rabbani said, “Some of the central committee members in question are trying to prove themselves innocent. Out of respect for their image, we are not publishing their names yet. We will discuss these issues with apa (PM Sheikh Hasina) when she returns to the country, and will act according to her instructions.”