For many of the Qawmi madrasa students who came to the capital on Sunday to attend a rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan, it was their first visit to Dhaka University.
Published : 05 Nov 2018, 12:26 AM
Some took a tour of the university, taking selfies and photos at the alters of the Swoparjito Swadhinata and Raju Bhaskarja sculptures.
They walked through the Dhaka University campus to the Udyan after getting off the buses at Azimpur or Motijheel.
“It’s TSC! It’s indeed Dhaka University’s TSC! Let’s take a look!” one of them was heard telling a peer in front of the Teacher-Student Centre.
One of them, ‘Mohiuddin’ from Feni, told bdnews24.com: “I’ve never been to Dhaka University areas. I’ve heard from many that people use to hang out at the TSC.”
Maulana Abul Kalam, who is also from Feni, said he had visited the university and the TSC earlier, but came now to have breakfast and some rest before joining the rally.
Their presence on the campus also drew attention of the university teachers and students.
Like many other movements, such as those for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan and restoration of democracy, the Ganajagaran Mancha was launched with the university and Shahbagh as the centre.
After the Mancha was formed to demand capital punishment of war criminals in 2013, Qawmi madrasa-based organisation Hifazat-e Islam described the platform as “a group of atheists”.
In the face of Hifazat’s pressure, the authorities removed a ‘Lady Justice’ statue from the Supreme Court premises last year.
Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, the agency consisting the six Qawmi education boards, organised the rally at the Udyan to celebrate the recognition of the degree.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the rally as chief guest while Hifazat chief Shah Ahmed Shafi presided over it.