Chhatra Dal–Shibir Clash in Pabna Over Calling Ghulam Azam and Nizami ‘Patriots’

Activists of Chhatra Dal created a commotion at a Martyred Intellectuals Day programme in Pabna, protesting remarks that described Ghulam Azam and Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami as “sun sons and patriots” of the country in the Great War of Independence. The incident took place on Sunday (December 14) in the morning at the Abdus Sattar Auditorium of Government Edward College.

On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, the college authorities organised a discussion meeting. While delivering his speech at the programme, Mamun Al Hasan, secretary of the college unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, said, “I extend greetings of the Great Victory Day to everyone present.” Mixed reactions were observed over offering Victory Day greetings while standing at a Martyred Intellectuals Day event.

He then went on to say in his speech, “At the very beginning of the discussion, I respectfully remember Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of the Great Independence. At the same time, I remember Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ghulam Azam, and all patriotic people of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the sun sons of this country in the Great War of Independence.”

Immediately after these remarks, leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal present at the programme protested. As they boycotted the programme, a commotion ensued. For some time, there were heated arguments and chaos between Shibir leaders and Chhatra Dal leaders. In protest against the Shibir leader’s remarks, Chhatra Dal activists staged a demonstration inside the auditorium.

Regarding the matter, Joint General Secretary of the Government Edward College unit of Chhatra Dal, Mahfuzur Rahman, strongly condemned and protested the statement and called on Islami Chhatra Shibir to immediately withdraw the remarks and apologise to the general students.

He said, “This time, the month of victory has begun with slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ This is extremely shameful for the Bengali nation. If Islami Chhatra Shibir again makes such statements or slogans in the future, we will give them a fitting response along with the general students.”