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Bangladesh Students' Union

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Bangladesh Students' Union
বাংলাদেশ ছাত্র ইউনিয়ন
AbbreviationBSU
PresidentMahir Shahriar Reza [1]
General SecretaryBahauddin Shuvo [1]
Founded26 April 1952; 72 years ago (1952-04-26)
Headquarters2 Comrade Moni Singh Road, Purana Paltan, Dhaka
NewspaperJoyodhwoni [2]
Brigades and Wings
  • Pritilata Brigade [3]
  • Cultural Union [4]
  • Jono Biggan Andolon [4]
  • Ishkol [4]
IdeologyCommunism
Socialism
International affiliation
Colors  Blue
Party flag
Website
bsu1952.org.bd
Anti Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture, a statue in the Dhaka University campus, erected in the memory of Raju, an activist of Students' Union

Bangladesh Students' Union (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ ছাত্র ইউনিয়ন, romanized: Bangladesh Chhatra Union, abbreviated as BSU), is a leading left-wing student organization in Bangladesh.[5][6] The organization was established on 26 April 1952.[7][8] It is an organization of students that provides protection for student interests and ensures the enforcement of student rights.[6] During the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the organization had its guerrilla force.[9][10]

Goals

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The organization has been advocating for a non-discriminatory, science-based, non-communal, and progressive educational policy.[5][6] The Students' Union believes that addressing the challenges in the educational journey and establishing the supremacy of students' rights require eliminating exploitation and inequality from society.[6]

Naming

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At its birth, the organization was named "Pakistan Students' Union." However, during the first conference in December 1952, the decision was made to establish a separate organization based on East Pakistan as the two regions of undivided Pakistan had major distinction in economy, social awareness, culture, and heritage. Consequently, the organization was formed with a focus on East Pakistan, and its name was changed to "East Pakistan Students' Union." After the independence of Bangladesh, the organization adopted the name "Bangladesh Students' Union," abbreviated as "BSU."[11][12][13] [14]

History

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In April 1952, a regional conference was held in Dhaka to address the challenges and issues posed by the bengali language movement where the decision was made to form a united student organization focusing on unity among all students, irrespective of nationality, religion, and caste. The decision aimed at fostering a collective consciousness with an anti-communal, democratic, anti-imperialist, and progressive political awareness. As a result, on April 26, 1952, the East Pakistan Students' Union was established in Dhaka based on the principles of unity, education, peace, and progress.[6][11][15]

The founding leaders of this organization were Kazi Anwarul Azim and Syed Abdus Sattar. Later, in December 1952, at the first conference, Mohammad Sultan was elected as the president, and Mohammad Elias as the general secretary. It was during this conference that the organization's declaration and constitution were announced.[6][16]

Students' Union in the Liberation War

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In February 1971, in an emergency council of the East Pakistan Students' Union, 14 demands were presented regarding democracy. It stated, "The original five language-speaking nations in Pakistan, to separate them from the Federation of Pakistan and establish an independent sovereign state with complete autonomy rights and self-determination."[17][18]

In February 1971, during the tenth congress of the International Union of Students held in Europe, specifically in the then Czechoslovakia (present-day Slovakia, with its capital in Bratislava), representatives of the Students' Union from Bangladesh presented the just demands and struggles of the people of Bangladesh. This significant event had the participation of student representatives from over a hundred countries globally.[19]

On March 1, 1971, in response to the cancellation of the parliamentary session, the Students' Union organized a protest rally near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and a nationwide strike on March 2. From the beginning of March, student gatherings were organized daily at the Central Shaheed Minar, where the ongoing events and political circumstances were briefed. Following the historic speech on March 7, Students' Union started their preparations for a prolonged struggle for the liberation of East Bengal. At the University of Dhaka's central field, Students' Union initiated military drills and weapons training, including handling dummy rifles, starting each morning. Female activists of the organization also participated in this training. Separate brigades were formed in the names of the martyrs and revolutionaries, each taking political responsibilities alongside receiving military training, including guerrilla warfare.[20][21]

Furthermore, the Students' Union, from its side, conducted extensive political campaigns in districts and primary branches. They organized the Mukti Bahini in rural areas. In the villages, they instigated movements among farmers, and under the coordination of the Mukti Bahini, regular parade programs were conducted. On the night of March 25, 1971, leaders of the Dhaka University Unit of Students' Union, including Aajim and Shushil, along with several others, sacrificed their lives in the gunfire of the Pakistani forces.[22][23]

In May 6, 1971, a press conference was held in Delhi by the Students' Union regarding the Bengali Liberation War. The conference highlighted the overall situation of the genocide and the resistance struggle, creating widespread awareness internationally. After the commencement of the Liberation War, this was the first kind of press conference in favor of Bangladesh, where detailed descriptions of the atrocities and genocide by the Pakistani military were provided.[19]

On May 10, 1971, the International Union of Students (IUS) and the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), along with other international student and youth organizations from all countries, sent letters urging support and cooperation for Bangladesh's independence and the Liberation War. Subsequently, student and youth organizations worldwide swiftly started expressing support for Bangladesh's independence and the Liberation War, initiating widespread solidarity.[19][24]

In May, as part of the Students' Union's initiative, a special guerrilla force was formed in collaboration with the NAP-Communist party to manage and conduct the war. On May 28, near Salonibari, Assam, training commenced. After the training, under the leadership of the Operation Planning Committee, the induction of guerrillas within the country, along with guerrilla operations and military coordination, was initiated.[23][25]

By the end of September, this special force was engaged in small-scale operations. The number of operations increased in October and November. Successful campaigns were conducted one after another in areas such as Raipur, Monohardi, Shibpur, Comilla, Noakhali, Chittagong, and greater Barisal. On November 11, a fierce battle took place between the guerrilla force and the Pakistani forces in the bordering Betia of Cumilla. In this battle, 9 guerrilla fighters, including Students' Union leader Nizamuddin Azad, Sirajul Monir, and Shahidullah Saud, became martyrs. The actions of the guerrilla force showcase the heroic role played by the Students' Union warriors.[26][27][28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "৪২ তম কেন্দ্রীয় কমিটি". Bangladesh Students' Union. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  2. ^ জয়ধ্বনি, বাংলাদেশ ছাত্র ইউনিয়নের মুখপত্র. Joyodhwoni (in Bengali).
  3. ^ "Students Union launches Pritilata Brigade against sexual harassment". The Daily Star. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Brigrades and Wings". Bangladesh Students' Union. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Declaration and Constitution. Bangladesh Students' Union. 9 September 2019. p. 2. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f What and Why of Students' Union. Bangladesh Students' Union. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Bangladesh Students' Union (BSU), Bangladesh". Eastchance.com. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  8. ^ East Pakistan Students' Union: Days of Glory, Mahfuz Ullah, Page: 25
  9. ^ New Age. Chhatra Union celebrates 66th founding anniv
  10. ^ Sengupta, Arkaprava. Red Guerrillas: The Forgotten Fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War
  11. ^ a b Nitai Das. Bangladesh Students' Union: Brief History. pp. 11–13. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. ^ "গৌরবের দিনলিপি". প্রথম আলো. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  13. ^ "ছাত্র ইউনিয়নের ৬৫তম প্রতিষ্ঠাবার্ষিকী আজ". Bangla Tribune. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. ^ ঘোষণাপত্র ও গঠনতন্ত্র (PDF). Bangladesh Students' Union. 9 September 2019. p. 30. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Former Presidents and General Editors of the Central Committee". Songramer Notebook. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Former Presidents and General Editors of the Central Committee". Bangladesh Students' Union. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  17. ^ Students' Union in liberation war (PDF). Bangladesh Students' Union. p. 11. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. ^ Hannan, Dr. Mohammad (15 February 2024). History of students' movement in Bangladesh. Agami Prokashoni.
  19. ^ a b c "নিষ্ঠাবান রাজনীতিবিদ নুরুল ইসলাম নাহিদ". Kaler Kantha. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  20. ^ "স্মৃতিতে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ". bdnews 24. 27 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  21. ^ Students' Union in liberation war (PDF). Bangladesh Students' Union. pp. 13–14. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  22. ^ Students' Union in liberation war (PDF). Bangladesh Students' Union. p. 15. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  23. ^ a b "মুক্তিযুদ্ধে ন্যাপ, কমিউনিস্ট পার্টি ও ছাত্র ইউনিয়নের ভূমিকা". NTV. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  24. ^ "শিক্ষামন্ত্রী নুরুল ইসলাম নাহিদ - এর সংক্ষিপ্ত পরিচিতি". বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় তথ্য বাতায়ন. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  25. ^ "ন্যাপ-কমিউনিস্ট পার্টি-ছাত্র ইউনিয়নের বিশেষ গেরিলা বাহিনী প্রসঙ্গে". Weekly Ekota. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. ^ "বেতিয়ারা যুদ্ধের শহীদদের স্মরণ". Prothom Alo. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  27. ^ "১১ নভেম্বর ঐতিহাসিক বেতিয়ারা শহীদ দিবস". Bangla Tribune. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  28. ^ "১১ নভেম্বর বেতিয়ারা শহীদ দিবস". Bangladesh News Hour. 10 September 2017. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
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