BCL infighting leads to vandalism at DU concert stage

Installations of Pahela Baishakh cultural programme set afire by a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at Mall Chattar area of Dhaka University on Friday night. Photo: Prothom Alo
Installations of Pahela Baishakh cultural programme set afire by a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at Mall Chattar area of Dhaka University on Friday night. Photo: Prothom Alo

A section of ruling party student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League allegedly set afire the installations of a cultural programme celebrating Pahela Baishakh in Dhaka University on Friday midnight.
The internal conflict among top leaders of the ruling party student wing has come to fore by this incident, according to BCL insiders.
Witnesses said, leaders and activists backed allegedly by BCL central president Rezwanul Haq Chowdhury Shovon vandalised and set the installations on fire at Mall Chattar area at around 1:00am.
BCL general secretary Golam Rabbani, DU unit president Sanjit Chandra Das and secretary Saddam Hossain reached the scene and staged showdown there until 3:00am.
Later, room number 409, where Shovon’s associate and F Rahman Hall secretary Tushar resides was vandalised.
Tushar alleged that Saddam’s associates carried out the attack.
BCL organised a two-day long folk music and concert programme to mark Pahela Baishakh.
The internal conflict of BCL surfaced allegedly centering the share of Tk 2 million received from beverage company ‘Mojo’ as sponsorship.
BCL president Shovon alleged that he was not informed at all about the programme despite being the top leader of the organization.
Shovon’s associates claim that three other leaders try to ‘corner’ Shovon as prime minister Sheikh Hasina herself selected him for the post of BCL president. Three other leaders have become united against Shovon as Hasina gives him preference over them, they alleged.
They also alleged that the three leaders were instrumental behind Shovon’s defeat in vice president post of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

A faction of BCL vandalises installations of Pahela Baishakh cultural programme organised by the student body.  Photo: Prothom Alo
A faction of BCL vandalises installations of Pahela Baishakh cultural programme organised by the student body. Photo: Prothom Alo

One of the three leaders, seeking anonymity, alleged that the decision of vandalising the installations was taken at a meeting in Shovon’s house Friday night. The attack was carried out at the behest of Shovon in that meeting. The leader also alleged that Shovon was doing this out of ‘frustration’ after being defeated in DUCSU polls.
Witnesses said, former BCL leader of Jahurul Haque Hall unit Atiqur Rahman Khan, Ziaur Rahman Hall president Yousuf Uddin Khan, Jasim Uddin Hall president Arif Hossain, Bangabandu Hall secretary Al-Amin Rahman, Amar Ekushey Hall president Ehsan Ullah, Mohsin Hall secretary Mehedi Hasan Sunny, Sir F Rahman Hall secretary Mahmudul Hasan Tushar, all are associates of Shovon, led the attack.
Pointing fingers to Shovon for the vandalism, BCL DU unit president Sajit Chandra Das said, “Those who carried out vandalism or arson attack can’t be a follower of Sheikh Mujib’s ideal. We don’t want such Chattra League. I would resign from my post if justice is not delivered in this incident.”
Shovon, however, denied the allegation.
“The programme is being organised under the banner of Chhatra League but I don’t know anything despite being president of the organisation. Naturally I have some frustration over this but I don’t know who carried out the attack in Mall Chattar,” he told Prothom Alo.
The BCL president also expressed frustration as three leaders blamed him over the incident.
“The way three leaders are blaming me is frustrating. They are acting irresponsibly,” Shovon added.
DU unit secretary Saddam claimed that Shovon was well informed of the cultural programme.
They identified several persons involved in vandalism and will arrange a program on 15 April protesting at the incident, Saddam added.