Private university students will take to the streets again if needed, say students

Private university students in Chattogram said that allies of the fallen autocrat, influenced by India, are trying to destabilise the country.

If needed, private university students will once again take to the streets to resist Indian domination, just as they did during the July movement.

The students said these during a discussion titled "Private Universities in the July Uprising: Gains and Losses," organised by "Students Alliance for Democracy (SAD), Chattogram Metropolitan." at the Chattogram Press Club in the port city yesterday.

Representatives from all private universities in Chattogram participated in the event.

Saiful Islam Sajid, convener of the SAD Chattogram unit, presided over the programme, while SAD spokesperson Masumul Karim Rohan and member Umme Habiba Jhuma moderated it.

Chittagong University Professor Ali Ar Razi delivered the opening speech at the event. 

Student representatives from private universities who spoke at the event included Abdur Rahman from Southern University Bangladesh, Shahjalal Faruk from University of Creative Technology Chittagong, Mohiuddin Faruk from Port City International University, Mohammad Yunus Mia Sajib from University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Chowdhury Siam Ilahi from International Islamic University Chittagong, Pushpita Nath from Chittagong Independent University, AKM Fahim Chowdhury from BGC Trust University, Mohammad Tawseef from East Delta University, Abu Junayed Asad from Premier University, Sakin Shabab from Private University Students Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB) and Shahed Muhibullah from National University.

Abdur Rahman, a student at Southern University Bangladesh, said, "In the July movement, students served as the fuel for the entire movement. Now, under India's influence, there is an attempt to destabilise the country again. Allies of the autocrat are trying to create issues around minorities. If needed, we will return to the streets against Indian hegemony."

Sakin Shabab, of PUSAB, said, "In terms of gains, private university students have been sidelined. What we gained was an independent country. The autocratic Awami League took away our voting rights. Yet, the allies of the autocrat are still in power. How is a member of the Awami League advisory council still sitting as the vice-chancellor of Premier University? I call on the students of Premier University to continue their movement. Students from other universities will stand by them."

Representatives from private universities said, "After August 5, we have been pushed aside. We have returned to our study tables, continuing with midterms, class tests, etc. However, there is a need for our representation in the decision-making processes for the formation of a new state. This has not been ensured. Structural reforms are still delayed. We thought a revolutionary government would emerge, but instead, a lenient government has come. They are not acting with speed. Structural reforms must be implemented to eliminate inequality from society."

Chittagong University Professor Ali Ar Razi said, "We do not want to create new divisions between private and public universities. Society is divided based on knowledge to solve problems. But if it leads to divisions, the future of the state will be dark. We saw during the anti-autocracy uprising that people from all walks of life, regardless of political views, united to save the country. Therefore, we must work with a new perspective and a new sense of life."

The discussion also covered the role of private universities in the July uprising, their challenges and potential, and their future contributions during national crises. There was an emphasis on the unity of students and teachers from private universities, their contribution to the larger society, and their role in the reform of the state and society.

Southern University Bangladesh teachers Chowdhury Russell and Taher Selim, BGC Trust University teachers Md Redwanul Haque and Asma Al Amin, Chittagong Independent University teacher Sidratul Muntaha Trina, Premier University teacher Javed Arfat, the University of Creative Technology Chittagong teacher SM Shahidul Alam, and Enayet Bazar Women's College teacher Shahadat Hossain, among others, participated in the discussion.