Karnaphuli A.J. Chowdhury Degree College Ground hosts the 45th Founding Anniversary Student Rally and Colorful Procession of Chattogram South District Chhatra Sena –
“Good Governance Must Be Established to Build a Non-Discriminatory Bangladesh”
On the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena, which has a history, tradition, glory, and struggle, a grand student gathering and a colorful rally were held under the initiative of Chattogram South District on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Karnaphuli A.J. Chowdhury Degree College Ground.
The student rally was presided over by the president of Chhatra Sena South District, student leader Md. Osman. The chief guest of the event was Bangladesh Islami Front’s Secretary-General, public leader Principal Allama S.U.M. Abdus Samad. The event was inaugurated by Bangladesh Islami Front’s Divisional Organizational Secretary Maulana S.M. Shahjahan. The keynote speaker was former president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena, Nurul Haque Chishti.
Special guests included Bangladesh Islami Front’s Joint Secretary-General Maulana Nurul Islam Jihadi, Divisional Organizational Secretary Maulana M.A. Mabud, Assistant Office Secretary Advocate Faridul Islam, Information and Technology Secretary Muhammad Jasim Uddin, Labor and Agriculture Secretary M. Mohiul Alam, Chattogram South District President Maulana Ferdousul Alam Al-Qaderi, Secretary Ali Hossain, Metropolitan South Secretary Alamgir Islam Baeedi, Maulana Saifuddin Al-Qaderi, Maulana Muhammad Enam Reza, youth leader Didarul Alam, Abdullah Al Mamun, Monirul Islam, and former student leader Nurur Rahman Roni.
The keynote speaker was the General Secretary of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena Central Council, student leader Shahedul Alam.
In his speech, chief guest Principal S.U.M. Abdus Samad stated that the aspiration of the 1971 Liberation War was to establish an independent, sovereign, and non-discriminatory Bangladesh for all. Even in 2024, student movements had to fight for the same cause. Instead of achieving an equal, inclusive, and secular democratic society, a state system was established that catered to the interests of bureaucrats, looters, capitalists, and merchants.
Therefore, against this bureaucratic capitalist political system, we now dream of an ideal state where politics will no longer be about chaos, factionalism, extortion, tender manipulation, or terrorism. To establish such a non-discriminatory Bangladesh, good governance must be ensured first. After 15 years of a one-party government, a new cycle has taken over, continuing terror and extortion.
He further said that the achievements of 2024 do not belong to any specific political party; they are the victories of students across all levels. The people will not accept any attempts to monopolize these achievements through repression. The country witnessed the arrival of Islam through the revered Awliya (saints), but now a group of extremist militants is attacking the shrines of these great spiritual figures, harassing Sufi scholars, and taking over banks. We must stand up against them. We have compromised enough—no more.
We want to assist the interim government in establishing good governance and justice. To achieve this, the government must take strict action against all forms of injustice and corruption. A conducive election environment must be created promptly, ensuring the participation of all parties.
The event was conducted jointly by the Convener of the Preparation Committee, Syed Muhammad Tarek, and Member Secretary Arif Hossain Imon.
Among the invited Pirs, Mashayekhs, and Islamic scholars who spoke were Pirzada Shamunur Rashid Amiri, former Vice Chairman Obaidul Haque Haqqani, Monir Ahmad Anwari, Maulana Musa, Maulana Abu Sadeq, Habibul Mustafa Siddiqui, Harunur Rashid, Hasan Ali, Arif Hossain Sabuj, Muhammad Ismail Hossain, Arman Hossain, and Saeedul Alam Parvez.
Other speakers noted that since its establishment in 1980, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena has upheld a history of non-violence based on its seven principles and five-point agenda. In its 45-year journey, many activists, including Halim, Liaqat, Saiful, Naeem, Jeetu, and Sadeq, have sacrificed their lives, yet the organization has never resorted to attacks.
Chhatra Sena has been active in every movement, including student council elections in educational institutions, lowering the cost of educational materials, and demanding maximum budget allocation for the education sector. It has also played a significant role in national, religious, and social causes. The establishment of an independent Islamic Arabic University is a direct result of Chhatra Sena’s activism.
During the 2024 movement, Chhatra Sena officially participated, and many of its leaders and activists faced lawsuits, attacks, and imprisonment. However, certain political parties are now trying to monopolize this student movement’s achievements for their own power grabs.
The speakers also pointed out that Chattogram South District has historically been neglected by every ruling party. This time, everyone, regardless of party affiliation, must unite to ensure the desired development of the region.
In Bangladesh’s history, student movements have played decisive roles in the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 anti-dictatorship movement, and the 2024 anti-discrimination movement. Students must also take the lead in shaping the future of Bangladesh.
The event also put forward a 9-point demand, including the establishment of Moniruzzaman Islamabadi University, a medical college, and a technical college at the Upazila level, as well as the withdrawal of false cases against Chhatra Sena activists.
Following the gathering, a grand and colorful rally started from Karnaphuli A.J. Chowdhury Degree College Ground, marched through various streets, and concluded at Moijjartek.