Press Conference at Dhaka University, Protesting Attacks on Hezbut Tawheed Student Forum Members
University Correspondent:
The Dhaka University (DU) unit of the Hezbut Tawheed Student Forum held a press conference protesting what it described as heinous attacks on its members in Lakshmipur and Ashulia.
The press conference was held on Tuesday (30 December) at 3:00 pm at the historic Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University. The written statement was read out by Md. Mehedi Hasan, Convener of the DU unit of the Hezbut Tawheed Student Forum.
At the outset of the press conference, deep condolences were expressed over the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who died earlier that morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. The speakers prayed for the forgiveness of her departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.
In his written statement, Md. Mehedi Hasan said that Hezbut Tawheed is a non-political reformist movement that has been carrying out its organizational activities completely peacefully since 1995. Over the past nearly three decades, there has been no instance of its members violating the law. The Student Forum, following the principles of the parent organization, has also been conducting peaceful activities. However, he said it is extremely unfortunate that in recent times the organization’s peaceful programs have repeatedly come under vicious attack.
Details of two recent attacks were presented at the press conference. Speakers stated that on 28 December in Ashulia, while speeches of Hezbut Tawheed’s Imam, Hossain Mohammad Salim, were being broadcasted and leaflets distributed, a group of individuals dressed in religious attire launched an unprovoked attack. The attackers attempted to incite the public by chanting provocative and misleading slogans such as “Christian,” “agents of Jews,” and “agents of India.” In the attack, Saklain Mostak (19), President of the Ashulia unit of the Student Forum, and Abir Hasan (19), Convener of the Borak Polytechnic Institute unit, were seriously injured.
Earlier, on 26 December, while participating in promotional activities in the Baismara area of Lakshmipur Municipality, members were attacked in a terrorist manner under the leadership of a local mosque imam. In that incident, a member named Reduan Hasan (21) sustained a serious head injury. Police later rescued him and admitted him to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.
The speakers alleged that an extremist and communal group is attempting to destabilize Bangladesh. They said, “Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, democratic state. Everyone here has constitutional and religious rights to express their own opinions. In the vision of a new, youth-led Bangladesh that emerged after the July mass uprising, any attempt to silence voices or display intolerance is in no way acceptable.”
At the press conference, the speakers demanded that those involved in the attacks in Ashulia and Lakshmipur be swiftly brought under the law and given exemplary punishment. At the same time, the organization’s leaders expressed their expectation of state security and cooperation so that they can peacefully propagate their ideology.
Also speaking at the event were Hezbut Tawheed adviser Mokhlesur Rahman Suman and Student Forum Central President Rad Ul Islam. Central Vice President Al Mamun Akash of the Student Forum, along with leaders and activists of the Dhaka University unit at various levels, were also present at the press conference.
Images Related to this Post
Leave a Comment