Chhatra Dal condemns Shibir’s press conference at Madhur Cantine as disrespectful to martyr Madhu

In a strongly-worded statement, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party‍‍`s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has condemned a recent press conference held by the Islami Chhatra Shibir at Madhur Cantine, calling it disrespectful to the martyr Madhusudan Dey, famously known as Madhuda, and his family.

On Sunday, February 23, the party’s president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and general secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, issued a statement following the event, in which they expressed their disapproval.

They criticized the presence of Shibir members at Madhur Cantine, especially considering the historic importance of the location and Madhu’s role as its founder.

In their statement, they labeled the actions of the Islami Chhatra Shibir as disgraceful, particularly as the group has close ties to the very forces responsible for the martyrdom of Madhu during the 1971 Liberation War.

They argued, “The presence of the associates of the killers at the martyr’s own premises is utterly shameful. The Islami Chhatra Shibir should have stayed away from the site of Madhuda‍‍`s sacrifice, driven by remorse and conscience.”

They went on to explain the background of Madhu’s sacrifice during Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, when the Pakistani army launched a brutal crackdown.

“In the wake of Operation Searchlight, many like Martyr Madhuda sacrificed their lives,” the statement read. “It was in such a context that Martyr President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, made his declaration of independence.”

The Chhatra Dal leaders criticized the Islami Chhatra Shibir for frequently belittling the Liberation War, accusing them of labeling it as an “Indian conspiracy,” which they believe undermines the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and martyrs like Madhu.

They further claimed that the Shibir’s presence at Madhur Cantine would only serve to tarnish the legacy of the Liberation War.

The statement also reminded the public that Madhusudan Dey, the founder of the iconic Madhur Cantine, was killed by Pakistani forces during the 1971 war.

It pointed out that Jamaat-e-Islami, along with its student wing at the time, played a pro-Pakistan role, supporting the occupiers during the Liberation War.

In their conclusion, the leaders of Chhatra Dal demanded that Jamaat-e-Islami, its student wing, and the later iteration of that wing, the Islami Chhatra Shibir, take full moral responsibility for the murder of Madhu.