Attack on Gono Adhikar Parishad members condemnable

We are deeply disturbed by the way the Bangladesh Chhatra League members attacked the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Gono Adhikar Parishad—a newly formed political platform—as they went to pay tribute to Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani on his death anniversary in Tangail on November 17. Reportedly, around 50 Chhatra League leaders and activists of Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) attacked the Parishad entourage, injuring its Convener Reza Kibria, Member Secretary Nurul Haque Nur, and many other activists. Sadly, up until now, no one was arrested in connection with the attack.

In recent times, Chhatra League members attacking their political opponents or any groups with different political views seems to have become the norm. We have seen how Chhatra League men attacked the activists of BNP and other political parties in the past, and how they regularly engage in violent clashes in our public universities over establishing their supremacy on campuses. This also reminds us of the attacks that the ruling party's student front carried out on the activists of quota and road safety movements. But what defies logic is: Why would they attack any individual or a group of people, or even a political party, for paying homage to Maulana Bhashani, one of the founding leaders of the country? Why couldn't they stand a simple act of paying respect to one of our national heroes? Was it because it was done by a newly formed political group? Was it because they spoke about establishing people's rights and democracy in the country? Barely one month has passed since the platform was formed, and the Chhatra League members attacked them in public already. This is an ominous sign for our democracy.

There is a clear pattern of attacks on parties that the ruling party does not approve of. While the party in power brags about people's democratic rights on the one hand, its student wing continues to carry out regular attacks on people with different opinions and political views on the other. Reportedly, it is the 20th time that former Ducsu VP Nur has been attacked by Chhatra League men.

What is also concerning is the role of the law enforcers: we have not seen any initiative from them to take action against the attackers up until now. What is stopping them from arresting the attackers?

We strongly protest the attack on the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Gono Adhikar Parishad, and hope that those involved in the attack will be punished as per our law. If we as a nation want to function as a democracy, people's democratic right to express their opinions and hold political activities must be respected by all, including the Chhatra League leaders. The sooner the party in power realises it, the better it is for the country.