Bangladesh: Controversy Surrounds Islamist Party's Event at Historic Madhur Canteen in Dhaka
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Synopsis
Tensions rise in Bangladesh as student factions clash over an event at the historic Madhur Canteen, with accusations of disrespect towards the Liberation War and violent confrontations in recent weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Student factions clash at Dhaka's historic site.
- BNP protests against Islami Chhatra Shibir.
- Madhur Canteen's significance highlighted.
- Recent violent confrontations injure over 100.
- Claims of historical disrespect arise.
Dhaka, Feb 24 (NationPress) The escalating discord between student factions in Bangladesh has resurfaced as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatradal and Jamaat-e-Islami's Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir clash over an event held at Dhaka University's Madhur Canteen.
The BNP's Chhatra Dal held a protest on Sunday against a press conference organized by Islami Chhatra Shibir at the Madhur Canteen, claiming it harmed the reputation of this significant site in the history of student politics in Bangladesh.
The Madhur Canteen, located in Dhaka University, was established by Madhusudan Dey, who became a martyr on March 25, 1971, during Operation Searchlight, a brutal military assault by Pakistani forces.
The BNP asserted that Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir were firm supporters of a united Pakistan and played a detrimental role during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The Chhatra Dal demanded that Shibir refrain from using the Madhur Canteen and take moral responsibility for the death of Madhusudhan Dey, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.
Chhatra Dal condemned Shibir for disrespecting the Bangladesh Liberation War, dishonoring freedom fighters and martyrs.
Recently, violent confrontations erupted between the two student factions at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), resulting in injuries to over 100 students. Both groups accused each other of instigating the violence.
Prior to her ousting in August 2024, then PM Sheikh Hasina claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party exploited the student movement for quota reform to unleash a wave of terror across the nation.
