Dhaka Bureau: Today is the 76th anniversary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the oldest and most traditional organization in the country. This student organization of glory and tradition was established a year before the birth of the main party, the Awami League, with the aim of achieving the independence of Bengal and Bengalis. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, founded the organization on January 4, 1948. It was under his leadership that day at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Haque Hall that its journey officially began.
The Chhatra League started its journey that day with the initiative of a group of talented young people under the inspiration and patronage of the then-young leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The history of the Chhatra League in 76 years is the history of establishing the right to the nation’s language, realizing the dream of liberation, snatching away the red sun of freedom, and making the struggle for democracy and progress a reality. Ever since its inception, the Chhatra League has led every democratic and progressive struggle and won victory through great sacrifices. The Chhatra League’s founding anniversary theme this year is ‘Smart Bangladesh: Development is visible, employment will increase this time’. On the occasion of the founding anniversary, the Bangladesh Central Chhatra League has announced various programs, including a colorful procession under the titles ‘Vote Festival’ and ‘Boat’.
In 1949, the Awami Muslim League emerged as the first opposition party in Pakistan, which later took the name Awami League and led the country’s independence and freedom struggle. In this context, the establishment of the Chhatra League is very significant in the history of the Bengali nation. The Chhatra League provided strong leadership in various democratic movements and struggles. In the Biannar language movement, Chhatra League led by breaking Article 144 and establishing the right of Bengali language in exchange for fresh blood, in the general election of 54, the victory of United Front was assured by the united efforts of the leaders and workers of the Chhatra League, the anti-Ayub movement of 58, the glorious role of the Chhatra League in the education movement of 62, 6 of 66 Chhatra League leaders and activists spread across the country including every educational institution of the country, establishing the six points as the liberation charter of the Bengali nation, forcing the Pakistani ruler to resign under the leadership of the Chhatra League in the popular uprising of 1969 and freeing Bangabandhu from captivity, playing an unprecedented role of the Chhatra League in the elections of the 70s, in the liberation war of 1971. The Chhatra League’s participation in the frontline, ending post-independence military rule and transitioning to democracy, and the outstanding contribution of the Chhatra League in every movement and struggle will be written in golden letters in the history of the country.
The programs undertaken on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League are:
1. Hoisting of national and party flags at the central office at 6 a.m.
2. Tribute to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi at 7:30 a.m.
3. At 7:45 in the morning, the representatives of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and the Central Executive Parliament paid tribute at the tomb of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara.
4. 8:00 am Cake-cutting celebration at Curzon Hall of Dhaka University.
5. At 10 a.m. at the foot of Dhaka University’s invincible Bengal, the foundation anniversary rally and colorful procession with slogans of ‘voting festival’, ‘boat’. Besides, it is informed that a reunion will be organized on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary at a convenient time in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
President of the Central Committee of the organization, Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan called upon the leaders and activists of the unit (district, city, university, college) to observe the program announced on the occasion of the foundation anniversary.
