BCL yet to take action against ‘controversial’ leaders

Bangladesh Chhatra League, the pro-Awami League student body, is yet to take any action against its “controversial” leaders, though 24 hours have passed since their announcement to drop them from its new committee.

BCL president Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon and general secretary Golam Rabbani in a press conference on Wednesday night said they would take action against the 17 controversial leaders by 24 hours.

Golam Rabbani said that they were taking time to make sure that any “innocent” leader does not become victim of injustice.

Earlier on Wednesday during a meeting with BCL leadership at Gono Bhaban, Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina directed Shovon to drop the “controversial” leaders from its committee, if allegations against them are found true.

Hours later, the BCL general secretary disclosed names of 15 (out of 17) “controversial” leaders at a press conference at the Awami League chief’s political office.

At the press conference, Rabbani said, “Initially we got 17 names which surfaced in media reports and social media, as there were allegations of them being married, accused in criminal cases and believing  in anti-liberation spirit. We will vacate the 17 posts if the allegations are found to be true, and replace those with leaders who were not named in the committee at first.”

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Rabbani said eight out of those 17 leaders already submitted proof that allegations raised against them were untrue.

Rest of the leaders also told them they would submit documents to prove that they are innocent, he added.

He said they had spoken with the AL top brass, who instructed them to ensure that no “innocent” leader is dropped.

“As per organisational rules, if someone has a complaint against a leader, they have to file it in writing, but no one has filed any complaint to us. Still, we scrutinised the allegations that surfaced on social media,” Rabbani said.

Meanwhile, Saif Babu, former publication affairs secretary of central committee who did not get a post in the new committee, demanded that the accused leaders produce proof.

“We would meet Awami League leaders and ask why they were not taking any action though 48 hours have passed,” he added. 

BCL on Monday announced its 301-member full-fledged central committee, igniting controversy and demonstration by some of those who could not make it to the new committee.