The 41st anniversary of the Socialist Students' Front (Samajtantrik Chhatra Front) was celebrated. On this occasion, a gathering was organized by the leaders and activists of the Socialist Student Front in front of the Raju sculpture at Dhaka University on Tuesday.
During the event, the speakers called for the trial and punishment of those involved in the July massacre, providing financial assistance to the victims, and the immediate formation of an 'Education Reform Commission.'
They also demanded the removal of undemocratic rules banning student politics in educational institutions, allocation of at least 25% of the national budget or 6% of GDP for education, and the prosecution of attacks on ethnic minorities.
Rafiquzzaman Farid, General Secretary of the Socialist Students' Front, said, "This anniversary is not merely a formality. Since its inception, this organization has been fighting against injustice. We aim to learn from past mistakes. The struggles of many past leaders and activists have shaped this organization."
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He added, "After this people's uprising, we are still hearing flowery words. The government is ignoring the people who shed blood. They continue to make controversial decisions. The Education Reform Commission is not being formed, they cannot stop the destruction of Dargahs. Instead, they are raising VAT and erasing graffiti from textbooks. What needs to be done is the trial of the killers. But we are seeing attacks on the injured. They are trying to impose divisive politics."
Masud Rana, former president of the Socialist Students' Front, said, "The significance of this anniversary is different in the new Bangladesh. Every time people give their lives with a certain aspiration, but that aspiration is not fulfilled. If we fail to reach the aspirations we fought for this time, we will lose again."
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He added, "Fascism is not brought by any one party. A system brings fascism. Fascism is established to protect capitalist interests. Over the last 53 years, fascism has been established to protect the interests of the capitalists. This government will also have to establish fascism if it wants to protect capitalist interests."
"Many say that the country is poor and people do not get benefits, and the education system is bad. No, no. There is an economic system in Bangladesh where the interests of a few capitalists are protected, and that’s why we are in this condition," said Masud Rana.
Also present at the gathering were Salman Siddiqui, President of the Socialist Student Front (Marxist), Muzzammel Haque, Organizational Secretary of the Dhaka University branch of the Socialist Students' Front, and other leaders from various levels of the organization.
It is worth mentioning that the Socialist Students' Front was established on January 21, 1984, in the backdrop of the anti-military dictatorship student movement.