Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has strongly condemned Islami Chhatra Shibir’s press conference at Madhur Canteen, calling it disrespectful to the memory of martyr Madhusudan Dey and his family.
In a press release signed by Chhatra Dal Office Secretary Jahangir Alam on Sunday (February 23), the organisation stated that Shibir should refrain from coming to Madhur Cant
een out of remorse and conscience.
The statement highlighted that Madhusudan Dey, the founder of Madhur Canteen and a significant figure in Dhaka University’s student politics, was martyred on March 25, 1971, during Operation Searchlight conducted by the Pakistani military. Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Sangha—later known as Islami Chhatra Shibir—were collaborators of the Pakistani forces and played an anti-liberation role. Chhatra Dal asserted that Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliates bear moral responsibility for Madhusudan Dey’s killing.
Chhatra Dal strongly protested the press conference held by Chhatra Shibir at Madhur Canteen. Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir condemned the incident, stating, “It is a disgraceful act for the associates of war criminals to be present at the martyr’s premises.” They emphasized that Shibir’s presence at Madhur Canteen was inappropriate and disrespectful.
The Chhatra Dal leaders also accused Islami Chhatra Shibir of distorting the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. They stated that following the martyrdom of Madhusudan Dey and countless others during Operation Searchlight, President Ziaur Rahman declared the nation’s independence. However, they alleged that Chhatra Shibir continues to undermine the Liberation War by branding it as an “Indian conspiracy” and by dishonoring the valiant freedom fighters and martyrs.
Chhatra Dal warned that allowing Shibir’s presence at Madhur Canteen would tarnish the legacy of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence.
