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The BNP’s student wing president has also termed their behaviour as the “return of autocracy”
Published : 20 Apr 2025, 09:57 PM
The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has accused some members of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement of acting like a paramilitary force on university campuses.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan on Sunday, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib said, “A group of thugs has established terror and dominance on university campuses in the name of the anti-discrimination student movement, resembling the notorious Rakkhi Bahini, in an attempt to obstruct Chhatra Dal’s activities in various educational institutions.”
“They are threatening Chhatra Dal activists with mob intimidation, bringing back Chhatra League’s style of terror,” he added.
Rakib made these remarks while condemning the killing of Zahidul Islam Parvez, a Chhatra Dal activist and student of the Textile Engineering Department at Prime Asia University.
He said, “Not just inside campuses, Chhatra Dal activists are being restricted outside the university too. This is a violation of democracy and freedom of expression.”
“This is the same old autocracy in a new name. The ongoing occupation and violence has made the killers braver, encouraging them to commit the murder,” he added.
Zahidul Islam Parvez was stabbed to death last Saturday at the Prime Asia University campus in Banani, Dhaka.
During the press conference, the Chhatra Dal president alleged: “A highly unruly group led by Meheraj Islam brought in outsiders to carry out a premeditated attack on Parvez. Shobhan Niaz Tushar and Hridoy Miazi, joint conveners of the anti-discrimination student movement, were involved in leading the assault along with Meheraj. Several local goons were also part of the group.”
“They killed Parvez by stabbing him in the chest. The university proctor had resolved the matter and yet the attackers continued to threaten him. Parvez pleaded with university authorities for protection. But neither the authorities nor the administration offered any help.”
Rakib said that a case has been filed at Banani Police Station over Parvez’s death, and five members of the anti-discrimination student movement have been named as accused.
After the briefing, Parvez’s funeral prayer was held in front of BNP’s central office, followed by a protest rally organised by Chhatra Dal activists.
