A three-day national convention of Bangladesh Students’ Union was inaugurated at Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture on the Dhaka University campus on Thursday.
The 42nd national convention of the left-leaning student organisation was inaugurated by Samsi Ara Zaman, mother of journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, who was shot in the head and killed on July 19 during the student-led mass uprising leading to the fall of the Awami League regime.
Criticising different political parties and student organisations for acquiring power in a forceful and opportunistic manner, Samsi Ara urged them to do politics for the interest of mass people.
After eight months of the uprising, she felt that the movement was being sold as many were doing business misusing the uprising.
The BSU is holding this year’s convention with the slogan ‘A discrimination-free society and education system’.
Rageeb Nayeem, president of the BSU, said that the organisation fought for establishing democracy and the right to education since its foundation.
‘We will continue our struggle until a discrimination-free society and education system is established,’ said Rageeb.
Leaders and activists of different units of the BSU from across the country including Bogura, Rajshahi, Habiganj, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Jhalakati, Thakurgaon, Kurigram and Munshiganj joined the convention.
They brought out a procession after the inaugural ceremony marching through different roads on the DU campus.
Council sessions are scheduled to be held from April 24 to 26 while a cultural and reunion programme will be held at the base of the Anti-Violence Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus on the concluding day.
Based on four principles — unity, education, peace and progress — the student organisation was established on April 26, 1952 and the first convention was held in November that year.
