Beware of political traps, provocations

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
yesterday instructed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to avoid conflict with opposition
student groups and not to fall for provocations on campuses.
Amid rising concern within the BNP over campus
tensions, Tarique asked JCD central leaders to convey and enforce the directive
by visiting educational institutions across the country.
The instructions came at a meeting at the BNP
chairperson’s Gulshan office last night, where senior party leaders reviewed
the political situation and recent campus incidents. BNP Secretary General
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several Chhatra Dal leaders were present at the
meeting.
The directive follows recent clashes between Chhatra
Dal and Shibir across campuses.
Party insiders said Tarique instructed JCD leaders and
activists to act with patience, discipline and caution, warning that any
misstep could malign not only the organisation but also the BNP and the
government. He also stressed maintaining a peaceful academic environment.
A leader present at the meeting said Tarique expressed
dissatisfaction with some recent JCD activities and asked the organisation to
focus more on student-oriented politics.
“He made it clear that Chhatra Dal must not do
anything that could malign the organisation, the BNP or the government,” the
leader said, requesting anonymity.
Tarique also asked JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib
and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir about recent developments on campuses
and the organisation’s response to opposition activities.
According to meeting sources, he advised JCD to avoid
shows of strength and instead prioritise student issues -- academic
environment, housing, safety, transport, classroom facilities and democratic
space.
He also instructed the central leadership to engage
directly with students on campuses and ensure activists follow party
directives.
Several leaders said the party leadership believes
opposition student organisations may try to provoke Chhatra Dal into clashes to
create controversy and put pressure on the government.
They said Tarique warned JCD not to fall into such
traps.
A senior BNP leader summed up the directive: “Chhatra
Dal should remain active, but not aggressive. Campus politics must continue,
but it has to be peaceful and student-oriented.”
The meeting also discussed what leaders described as
false and misleading social media campaigns against the BNP, Chhatra Dal and
senior figures.
Tarique instructed JCD not to respond emotionally but
to counter misinformation with facts, discipline and constructive campus work.
He further called for strengthening organisational
activities nationwide and better coordination between the central committee and
university units.
Warning that the public closely watches student
politics, he said all activities must remain within the law and advised legal
action against violators.
BNP leaders said the party would closely monitor
campus developments and take organisational action against any unit that
breaches the instructions.
















