Dhaka:  Mentioning the remarks and activities of ruling Awami League ministers, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the ruling men only desire to cling on to power by any means.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the remark at a press conference held at city’s party office in the Nayapaltan area on Thursday (August 9).

The BNP leader said, “Vice chancellors (VC) of private universities demanded release of their students, who were detained during students’ protest for safe roads but Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid denied it. This reflects that they (AL ministers) crave only power.”

He added that Education Minister took a rigid stance against innocent students. It is hard to image to what extent an individual could desire power. They have dashed hopes of students, abandoned, values, justice, for the sake of illegal power.

Earlier, the Education Minister held a meeting with the VCs of all private universities at the auditorium of Institute of Mother Language (IML) in city’s Segunbagicha area on Wednesday (August 8).

After the meeting, the Education Minister warned VCs that they will have to explain if situation in universities worsens further. He also denied amnesty for the students who were detained from protests.

Students of schools and colleges started a mass movement following death of 2 college students in a city road crash on July 29. Their protest ended on August 5 but private university students continued the movement on August 6. Many students were detained during clash with police.

Mentioning AL general secretary Obaidul Quader’s remarks on hidden evil play behind movement, Rizvi said, “I want to remind the AL GS that when evil government prevails in country, people unite in open and righteous play. The students’ movement is just and conscience awakening.” 

BDST: 1950 HRS, AUG 9, 2018

AH/AP