Dhaka Bureau: General Secretary of the Awami League, Obaidul Quader, has commented that the Chhatra League will respond to the slogans raised by the quota reformers. He made this comment at a press conference organized at the political office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in Dhanmondi, the capital, on Monday (July 15).
Asked whether the Awami League would demand that the Razakar sloganeers be held accountable, Kader said that the BCL will answer the statements made by some leaders of the student movement. Student subjects will be limited to the campus. We see who emerges politically. We will see then. We are also ready to deal.
Asked whether the students’ slogans are seditious or not, Kader said the matter is under trial. Here, we also have to think and say a lot. So that there is no contempt of court. The court has to look into the matter of contempt of court.
When asked about the ultimatum of the agitators to withdraw the Prime Minister’s speech, Quader said, “It is certainly bold.” There is no doubt about it.
He said that the matter is under trial in the High Court. There is nothing the government can do until it is finally settled in court. Decisions and comments on pending matters amount to contempt of court. We have repeatedly reminded the agitators. There is no scope for taking decisions by any other means or by force except the decision of the Supreme Court. I will not accept public suffering in the name of movement. I cannot accept meetings and gatherings that cause public suffering by blocking roads. We are observing that BNP-Jamaat, the masterminds of this movement, have exposed their nature.
Calling on all the forces of the liberation war to speak out against the anti-liberation war agitation, Quader said, “Last night, we heard the political speeches and slogans of many students in the name of the quota reform movement.” As we have feared so far, they are going to do an anti-government movement in the name of the quota reform movement. Along with this, there are various anti-government parties, including the BNP-Jamaat. They have publicly supported it. Our fears became more apparent last night.
The slogans related to the Razaka identity of the misguided students in the country’s highest educational institution are audacious with our national fundamental spirit. We are very sensitive about the liberation war. We think the identified political forces want to turn the student quota reform movement into an anti-government movement. In their manipulation, slogans against the spirit of the liberation war were uttered last night. They are trying to make the entire student community stand as an opposition force to the government.
The Prime Minister’s press conference speech was distorted by Kushilavs behind the movement to serve their own political interests. The prime minister said in response to the question of the news workers that the freedom fighter’s grandchildren will not get the quota benefit, but will Razakar’s grandchildren get it? He said this correctly. The blood bath of 30 lakh martyrs cannot be the place of Razakar in Bangladesh. We want to say that Bengalis will not tolerate insulting freedom fighters. I will not accept the rise of a defeated power.
Students who do not respect the sacrifice of students and teachers at Dhaka University in the liberation war. Those who are proud to identify themselves as Razakas should be ashamed to identify themselves as DU students. How do they call themselves Razakars? How are those who ignore the basic spirit of the establishment of the state genius? How do they capture the aspirations of the nation and student society?
Awami League presidium members at the press conference. Abdur Razzaq, Shajahan Khan, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nashim, and other leaders of the Central Awami League and allied organizations were present.
