Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote (SSF) have announced holding their Independence Day programme wearing black badges on the campus in protest against allowing an organisation loyal to Islami Chhatra Shibir for holding cultural programmes on RU Central Shaheed Minar premises on March 26 and 27.
SSJ at a press conference at University Press Club yesterday said RU Teachers Students Cultural Centre (TSCC) director, who is a pro-Jamaat teacher, turned down their request for holding Independence Day programmes on central Shaheed Minar as Bikalpa Sahitya Sangsad, an organisation loyal to Shibir, had already been permission to hold their programme there.
They said earlier on March 2, SSJ RU unit submitted application to RU TSCC authorities seeking permission for holding Independence Day programme on central Shaheed Minar premises on March 26, and 27 but TSCC authorities informed SSJ activists that Bikalpa Sahitya Sangsad had already been given permission for holding their programmes on the Shaheed Minar premises on March 26 and 27.
“We made repeated requests to TSCC director for allowing SSJ to arrange Independence Day programmes on RU Central Shaheed Minar but he did not comply,” said Sohayel Ahmed Novel, president of SSJ RU unit, who read out a written statement at the press conference.
Bikalpa Sahitya Sangsad has no rights to use the Shaheed Minar premises as they belong to anti-liberation force Jamaat-e-Islami, SSJ activist Amit said.
SSJ demanded that the RU authorities allow them to hold Independence Day functions on the premises of central Shaheed Minar.
They also demanded withdrawal of the general restriction on cultural programmes on the campus.
“If the RU authorities do not allow us to hold Independence day programme on central Shaeed Minar premises we will be hold our programme wearing black badges on the premises of Folklore Department as protest,” they said.
Udichi activists Horandra Nath Shing, Chandon Haldar, Omar Sharif and Amit were present during the press conference.
When contacted, TSCC director Prof Abdur Rahman Siddiki refused to talk with journalists about the matter.
“I am not aware of the matter,” RU Vice Chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain said, adding that he will investigate it.
Bangladesh Chhatra League RU unit in a statement strongly protested allowing Shibir to hold Independence Day programme on Shaheed Minar premises.
They also demanded immediate removal of 'pro-Jamaat' TSCC Director Prof Siddiki from his post.