18 Dhaka University Chhatra League Leaders Resign Amid Quota Reform Movement

At least 18 leaders from various units of the Dhaka University (DU) Chhatra League have resigned in protest against comments made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent attack by the Chhatra League on students advocating for quota reforms. Five of these leaders had resigned on Sunday, July 14, following the Prime Minister's speech.

As of Wednesday morning, July 16, the resignation of these 18 leaders has been announced via social media platform Facebook, with reports indicating that the actual number might be higher.

The resigned leaders include:

• Jannatul Mawa, Vice President of Rokeya Hall, Dhaka University
• Hasibul Hasan Hasib, Vice President of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall Chhatra League
• Juena Alam Moon, Finance Secretary of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitri Hall
• Sirajam Monira Tisha, Law Secretary
• Amrin Jannat Tairu, Publicity Secretary
• Meherunnisa Mim, Drama and Literary Affairs Secretary
• Nurul Islam Hridoy, Vice President of Social Science Faculty Branch BCL
• Zeba Saima, Science Deputy Editor
• Wasik, Vice President of Sergeant Zahrul Haque BCL
• Israt Jahan Sumna, Deputy Library Secretary of Shamsun Nahar BCL
• Saqib Sadman, Deputy Editor of Vijay Ekatar Hall Branch
• Md. Rafiul Islam Rafi, Jasimuddin Hall Chhatra League
• Mehdi Hasan, Executive Member
• Machum Shahriar, Mass Communication and Development Secretary of Faculty of Social Science
• Ratul Ahmed alias Shravan, Deputy Editor of Liberation War and Research Affairs of Education and Research Institute
• Md. Muhaiminul Islam, Associate Secretary of Kalabhavan Chhatra League
• Ashiqur Rahman alias Jim, Literature and Publication Editor, Faculty of Law
• Russell Hossain

Expressing their reasons for resigning, the leaders highlighted their dissatisfaction and disillusionment with the Chhatra League's actions. Jannatul Mawa stated, "I have resigned from the post of vice president of Dhaka University Rokeya Hall. Since I have been called a Razakar, I want to remain a Razakar."

Hasibul Hasan Hasib wrote, "I renounce all my previous ties with the Chhatra League. Many of my younger brothers and friends were brutally beaten. Hate is working as an activist of Chhatra League for so long, goodbye Bangladesh Chhatra League."

Juena Alam Moon expressed her dismay, "I used to think of Chhatra League as a pillar of justice. But now if I think of my involvement with this organization, I will remember the faces of my bloody friends, seniors, juniors. So voluntarily, consciously resigning."

Israt Jahan Sumna and Nurul Islam Hriday also shared their reasons for resigning, citing disgust and shame at the actions of the Chhatra League against peaceful protesters.

On Sunday night, students from Dhaka University began protesting against the Prime Minister's speech, demanding quota reforms. They were met with violence from the Chhatra League on Monday, resulting in at least three hundred students being injured.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had stated in a press conference on Sunday, "Why is there so much anger against the great liberation war and heroic freedom fighters? The grandchildren of freedom fighters will not get quota, then will Razakar's grandchildren get quota?" This statement prompted immediate protests from students across the university.

The mass resignation of these Chhatra League leaders underscores the deep divisions and growing discontent within the organization in response to the recent violence and political tensions surrounding the quota reform movement.