DUCSU VP says students ready to welcome Pranab, not Modi

Vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Nurul Haque Nur on Wednesday said students will welcome former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee, not its current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Bangladesh during the 'Mujib Borsho', reports UNB.

"Bangabandhu was not the leader of any particular party but of freedom-loving general people of Bangladesh as well as the world. So, we won't allow a communal leader like Modi to tarnish Bangabandhu's image," he said.

The DUCSU vice-president was addressing a rally organised by Bangladesh General Students' Rights Protection Council at the foot of anti-terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture of the DU campus protecting violence in Indian capital New Delhi.

He, however, they will welcome former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee and other dignitaries who were invited to join the birth centenary celebrations of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "But we along with students of the country will resist Modi from entering the country by any means."

Nur alleged that Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists want to destroy harmony in India and minority Muslims have become their first target. "This won't remain limited to India only but will also affect entire South Asia."

Later, leaders and activists of the council brought out a protest procession which paraded several streets on the campus.

Meanwhile, Progressive Students' Alliance, a platform of left-leaning student organisations, also took out a protest rally condemning violence in New Delhi, India that left at least 27 people dead.