Former top leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League have strongly rejected the recently announced election schedule, branding it “farcical,” “illegal,” and a direct assault on democratic rights. In a joint statement issued today, the former student leaders described the schedule as an “open conspiracy” to deprive the people of their fundamental rights.
According to the statement, those involved in formulating and announcing this schedule are “entirely illegal, unqualified, and disconnected from the nation’s responsibilities.” They claimed the country is currently sinking into “extreme chaos, rampant misrule, and a deep crisis of state failure.”
The leaders further alleged that a domestic and international conspiracy is underway to push the historic Bangladesh Awami League—one of the key forces of the Liberation War—out of the political landscape. The announced election schedule, they said, is a clear manifestation of that conspiracy.
“We categorically reject this illegitimate schedule,” the statement declared. “It has nothing to do with the people or democracy; rather, it is a naked attempt to prolong illegal power.”
Warning that no authoritarian regime can survive by “killing democracy,” the former Chhatra League leaders said the people of Bangladesh will never accept a schedule declared by “unlawful authorities.”
Calling for mass resistance, the signatories urged all patriotic citizens to unite in a nationwide movement to “restore democracy, protect the spirit of independence, and safeguard the future of Bangladesh.” They expressed confidence that no matter how high the walls of illegitimacy and repression rise, they will ultimately fall to the “unconquerable strength of the people.”
Signatories
The joint statement was signed by former Chhatra League leaders including Asim Kumar Ukil, Mainuddin Hasan Chowdhury, Iqbalur Rahim, A.K.M. Enamul Hoque Shamim, Bahadur Bepari, Liaquat Sikder, Nazrul Islam Babu, Marufa Akter Poppy, Advocate Saifuzzaman Shikhor, Mahmud Hasan Ripon, Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton, Badiuzzaman Sohag, Siddiqi Nazmul Alam, Saifur Rahman Sohag, S.M. Zakir Hossain, Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon, Golam Rabbani, Al Nahian Khan Joy, and Lekhak Bhattacharjee.
