Hasina calls for weeding out destructive elements from Awami League, Chhatra League

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for purging the Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League of “destructive” elements to make them live up to the ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Her call came on Monday, a day after Chhatra League leaders and activists assaulted some teachers of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

“Those who are associated with us should follow the ideals of the Father of the Nation,” the Awami League chief said at a discussion organised by the Chhatra League in memory of Sheikh Mujib and Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib.

“I will ask Awami League and Chhatra League to build the organisations following the ideals of Bangabandhu by getting rid of undesirable elements.”

Since the Awami League returned to power in 2009, its student affiliate Chhatra League has came under criticism for excesses and violence. Several party leaders have blamed it on the “infiltrators”.

“The accomplices of the defeated force are still active,” Hasina said.

“The Father of the Nation used to say Bangladesh’s soil is very fertile. Just as sapling soon grows into a tree here, weeds too grow rampant. At times weeds destroy the main plant,” she said.

The SUST incident has evoked sharp criticism. Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta even said the Chhatra League’s action was embarrassing for the party.

The discussion held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre was presided over by Chhatra League President Md Saifur Rahman Sohag. It was moderated by the student front’s General Secretary SM Jakir Hossain.

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, Professor of Dhaka University’s Physics Department and Awami League  Advisory Council member Sultana Safi and professor of Dhaka University’s English Department Fakrul Alam also spoke at the programme.

The Awami League president stressed on “politics of principles” at the programme.

“If politicians can’t take risks, if they are not prepared to make sacrifices, they can give the country nothing.

“If politics is pursued without ideals, you can’t give anything to people,” Hasina said.

A section of politicians in Bangladesh was simply after money and property, she commented.

The Awami League-led coalition government, the prime minister said, was working to meet the basic needs of the common people.

“The Father of the Nation deeply loved the people of the country. We got a fraction of that love. I have only one goal: To take care of the basic needs of the people.”

Her voice strained with emotion when reminiscing about her mother. “Awami League was like a family. And she was a dear Bhabi (sister-in-law) to all of them.”

She used to meet the daily expenses of the family of jailed leaders, her daughter said.

“My mother gave money to the family for meeting daily expenses when a leader was in jail for months on end. And that leader sided with Ziaur Rahman after the assassination of the Father of the Nation.”

“Yes, I’m talking about killer (Khandker Mushtaq Ahmed). Mushtaq’s wife used to regularly call my mother. Mother would send money.”

Many of those involved with the Aug 15 carnage in 1975 were known to them, Hasina said.

“They ate in that house even two days before the event. How would my father know that they would return (to the house) as killers?

Syed Faruk Rahman, hanged for the murder, was a relative of Azizur Rahman Mollick, she added.

“Rashid (fugitive Khandaker Abdur Rashid) was a kin of Mushtaq. The wife and mother-in-law of (Shariful Haque) Dalim would lodge themselves at our house most of the time.

“Noor (SHBM Noor Chowdhury, living in Canada with political asylum) was ADC to (MAG Osmani) along with (Sheikh) Kamal.”

Hasina said she learnt about political struggle from her mother.