Chhatra League President Labels Quota Movement Participants as 'Ghosts of Razakar'

Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain has made controversial remarks regarding the ongoing quota reform movement, asserting that the movement is no longer led by ordinary students but by those he described as "ghosts of Razakar."

Hossain made these comments during a press conference held in front of the Raju sculpture at Dhaka University on Tuesday afternoon.

Statements from Saddam Hossain

"In the current situation, there is no ordinary student in the quota reform movement. There is no agitator based on the quota issue. Those who are there now are the ghosts of the Razakars. They do not want to solve the quota problem. They want to rehabilitate Razakar's politics by misleading students," Hossain stated. He urged the agitating students to return to their educational institutions and continue their studies peacefully.

Hossain further claimed that students have been used as pawns in the movement, alleging that a group is trying to achieve political objectives by exploiting them. He emphasized the need to understand the events that triggered Monday's incidents, arguing that the quota reform agitators were the initial attackers against Chhatra League leaders and activists.

Accusations and Responsibility

Hossain defended the actions of Chhatra League members, stating that they had shown responsibility despite being provoked. "The leaders and activists stayed in different halls to join the program of Chhatra League. But wherever they found, the quota activists attacked. Various rooms of the hall have been vandalized," he said.

He also issued a warning to those distorting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's speech, suggesting that they will not be exempted from accountability. "And I would like to say one thing to those who call me Razakar, everything will be answered. Each incident will be responded to," Hossain concluded.

Context of the Protests

The quota reform movement has gained momentum following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks on Sunday, where she questioned the opposition to the liberation war and suggested maintaining quotas for the grandchildren of freedom fighters. These comments sparked widespread protests among students, who felt they were being labeled as 'grandchildren of Razakars.'

Since then, protests have intensified, with significant clashes occurring between Chhatra League members and quota reform activists, leading to injuries and fatalities across the country.

Ongoing Situation

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to accuse each other of violence and provocations. The government has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in several districts to control the unrest, but clashes and protests persist.

This development highlights the deepening political and social divide in Bangladesh over the contentious issue of government job quotas, with no immediate resolution in sight.