Islami Chhatra Shibir has warned of mass protests unless the government ensures visible progress in the trial of the July massacre, releases ATM Azharul Islam, and withdraws all politically motivated cases against the organization within three weeks.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Shibir’s Central President Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam accused the ruling Awami League of establishing a fascist regime since assuming power in 2008, alleging it carried out brutal crackdowns on unarmed civilians during democratic movements.
They claimed over 2,000 Shibir activists were martyred in the struggle and criticized the current interim government for showing indifference toward prosecuting those responsible for the July massacre. “Instead of justice, efforts are underway to rehabilitate the perpetrators in exchange for large sums of money,” the statement alleged.
The organization also reiterated its demand for the immediate release of ATM Azharul Islam, the founding president of Shibir’s Dhaka University unit, who was sentenced to death in a war crimes case. “The case against him is entirely politically motivated, built on fabricated testimonies. One witness claimed to observe the incident from seven kilometers away, while another—who called himself a classmate—was enrolled two years after the victim had already left the institution,” the statement read.
Signed by Shibir’s publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, the statement further accused the government of conspiring to eliminate Islamic scholars and opposition politicians. Shibir leaders denounced the repeated delays in the final hearing of ATM Azhar’s appeal as deliberate and unjust.
They alleged that over the last 16 years, Shibir has been the target of systematic oppression, facing over 11,000 false cases. According to them, 101 members have been killed, hundreds left disabled, and several remain missing.
The organization urged the government to immediately resolve the cases stemming from the Paltan, Pilkhana, and Shapla killings. “Despite the passing of eight months since the July uprising, cases against those on the frontlines of the movement remain unresolved. This delay is a national disgrace and betrayal,” the leaders warned.
LND/BG
