Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of Bangladesh Chatra Union on Sunday formed a human chain demanding the prompt release of folk singer Shariyat Sarker and proper trial of the attack on theater staff including the playwright Anan Jaman. On Sunday Noon (January 19) they formed the human chain conducted by the office secretary of the organization Ataul Haque Chowdhury at the University’s Central Shaheed Minar Premises.
Addressing the program, President of Chatra Union of JU unit, Mikha Piregu said, "Bangladesh has been built on the basis of secularism. We have achieved our freedom in exchange of blood by defeating communal power. The government has compromised with communal power which experiencing an unsafe condition for the common people along with the cultural activists. We have never wished that a social system that could hurt freedom of speech. We are determined to stop the plot being made to form this country a communal state.”
During the program, teachers and student of JU, leaders and activists of the Socialist Student Front of JU unit and the Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance expressed solidarity. Mahathir Mohammad, president of the Socialist Student Front (Marxist) said “Through these communal activities, this government is transforming itself into an authoritarian government. By focusing on communal power, the government is trying to destroy the arts, literature and culture.”
Professor Mahmudul Hasan of Anthropology department said “The state is harassing people over the country through its law enforcement agencies, if there is any disagreement. The digital security law that is currently enacted has blocked our freedom of speech. The Act forfeited our right to speak in the name of security. This law is also against our constitution. We demand that the law be repealed.”
Rakibul Haque Roni, general secretary of the organization, and Shovon Rahman, convenor of the Socialist Students Front, among others spoke at the program.
