Chhatra-Youth Union protest at Shahbagh over Purana Paltan attack and vandalism at CPB office, demand trial of attackers

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union and the Bangladesh Jubo Union held a protest rally at Shahbagh in the capital against the attack on their members at Purana Paltan and the attack and vandalism at the central office of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB). The rally was held at around 7pm on Tuesday under the joint initiative of the Chhatra Union and the Jubo Union.

The rally demanded trial of the attack, ensuring freedom of expression and an end to obstruction of political programmes. After the rally, the protest procession marched from Shahbagh towards the TSC of Dhaka University.

Speakers at the rally alleged that after former Chhatra Union president Dipak Shil was released from the police station, they came under a sudden attack while holding a procession and rally at Purana Paltan. Later, the Chhatra Union office and the CPB central office, both located at Mukti Bhaban, were also attacked and vandalised.

Earlier, Dipak Shil was detained on Monday while going to join a human chain at Dhanmondi in Dhaka protesting attacks on cultural programmes, including Baul songs, at various places in the country. After his release, CPB leaders and activists brought out a protest procession at Purana Paltan. The attack there followed allegations over the chanting of the 'Joy Bangla' slogan in the procession.

Shahin Bhuiya, organising secretary of the central committee of the Bangladesh Jubo Union, said they were holding a victory procession at Paltan Mor after Dipak Shil's release. He alleged that people from the BNP, its affiliated organisations and Jamaat suddenly attacked them at that time.

Shahin Bhuiya said that although the government speaks of stopping mob violence, attacks are taking place using political party identities. Raising the allegation of attack against BNP and Jamaat people, he asked whether the government wants to stop mobs, or wants to suppress movements through mobs. He also commented that movements cannot be suppressed through attacks, nor can people's freedom of speech be stifled.

Mahir Shahriar Reza, president of the central council of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, said they were attacked while holding a procession and rally at Paltan Mor after Dipak Shil's release. At that time, he said, they were protesting the allegation of obstruction to the burial and guard of honour for heroic freedom fighter Manik Posari in Pirojpur. Their rally was attacked in the midst of that protest, he claimed.

Expressing solidarity at the rally, Inzamamul Haque, office secretary of the central committee of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, said neither the BNP nor Jamaat has the right to dictate who will chant which slogan in an independent country. Freedom of expression must not be obstructed. He demanded that those involved in the attack be identified and punished.

Rally chair and general secretary of the central committee of the Bangladesh Jubo Union, Jahangir Alam Nannu, alleged that mobs are being created against dissenters by labelling them 'collaborators of the Awami League' or 'collaborators of fascists'.

Jahangir Alam Nannu said the Chhatra Union, Jubo Union and Communist Party have long been in movement for the Liberation War, freedom of speech and democratic rights. Activists of these organisations also took part in the mass uprising of 2024. Yet, he alleged, freedom of expression and democratic rights have not been ensured even after the uprising.

He further said no one should be harassed because of political identity, slogans in favour of the Liberation War, or criticism of the government. If freedom of expression and democratic rights are not ensured, they will continue their movement.