Former leaders of the Bangladesh Students’ Union attend a programme marking the 60th founding anniversary of the organisation at Dhaka University on Thursday. — New Age photo

60th founding anniversary of BSU observed

Language movement veteran Abdul Matin on Thursday said the country was heading for uncertainty because of continuous political unrest.
He made the observation while addressing the inauguration ceremony of 60th founding anniversary of left student organisation Bangladesh Students’ Union in front of Santras Birodhi Raju Smarak Bhashkarja on the Dhaka University campus.
‘The direction towards which the country is moving is dangerous as political anarchy and chaos is prevalent everywhere,’ he said, asking leaders of the organisation to face the present situation bravely.
The former BSU leader also stressed the need for unity among students in this regard.
Presiding over the programme, International Crimes Tribunal’s chief prosecutor Golam Arif Tipu said leaders of the organisation should come forward in the movement for building a non-communal society and against all repressions on the people.
Mentioning the glorious past of the organisation during 1952, 1969, 1971 and 1990, Arif, also a former leader of the organisation, asked the student leaders to retrieve the glory.
Workers Party of Bangladesh president Rashed Khan Menon said enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings have become a threat to the politic of the country.
‘Also the students are sinking into deep water,’ Menon warned, urging the union leaders to choose the right way for the right of the students.
Mentioning no utilisation of the central students’ union in the universities over the years, he also called the university authorities to hold elections to establish students’ rights.
Co-chairman of the national committee to observe the anniversary, Pankaj Bhattachaja said the left organisations must be united against the existing corruption, religion-based politics and repression of minorities.
Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Mujahedul Islam Selim said the lost glory of the student politics must be revived for the sake of democratic practice on campuses.
‘The Students’ Union leaders should play a role in this regard as they had done during liberation war 1971,’ he said.
The programme was also addressed, among others, by former BSU president Joynal Abedin Khan, vice-president Sarawar Ali and deputy secretary Rabeya Islam, incumbent president Ferdous Ahmed Ujjal and general secretary SM Shuvo.
Hundreds of BSU leaders and activists from about 73 units across the country attended the anniversary celebrations.
Later, the BSU brought out a procession from the spot and it paraded different streets of the capital with the national flag, banners, placards and flag of the organisation.
A reunion of former leaders and activists of the organisation was also held in the afternoon in the university playground.
Founded on the day in 1952, the BSU played a vital role in all democratic and student movements and the liberation war in 1971. It has planned yearlong programmes to celebrate the occasion.
The programmes, featuring processions, discussions, seminars, symposiums and reunions, will be held across the country.
Former leaders and activists will also celebrate the occasion in Russia, Greece, Australia and some other European countries.