BCL expulsion draws flak

The expulsion of a number of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists from the organisation over the April 10 incident at Dhaka University's Sufia Kamal Hall has raised controversy as some of those expelled claimed that they were not staying either in the hall or in the city during the incident. 

Moreover, some of the people who have been "expelled" even said they were not associated with BCL, but a BCL press release carried their names as BCL activists, raising questions about the very expulsion.     

This correspondent talked to some of them who expressed their surprise at the decision. 

Literature affairs secretary of BCL central unit Khaleda Hossain Moon left the hall almost a year ago. But she was expelled from BCL for "being involved" in the April 10 incident.

Iffat Jahan Isha, president of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall unit of BCL, allegedly assaulted three students of the dormitory around 12:30am on April 10 for taking part in the protest demanding reform in the quota system.

Learning about the assault on three protesters, some students of the dormitory broke into Iffat's room and beat her up, said witnesses.

BCL expelled Isha instantly but formed a four-member probe body the next day. BCL president and general secretary of Dhaka University unit were two members of the committee. As per the recommendation of the committee, BCL reinstated her just 48 hours after her expulsion as they found her innocent in probe.

Later on, April 16, BCL expelled its 24 leaders and activists over the issue terming the incident “unexpected”.

Moon, also the former BCL president of the hall unit, claimed that she had been living in Cox's Bazar for the last 11 months.

She said BCL did not contact her and she was not given any opportunity either to defend herself.

“As per the constitution of BCL, it [BCL] needs to send a show-cause letter to an accused before handing him/her the punishment. But I did not get any letter like that,” Moon expressed her frustration.

Some of the BCL activists who were not present at the hall during the incident were also expelled.

BCL activist Monira Sharmin, also a student of disaster management and vulnerability studies department, who went to India on April 8, was also expelled. In reply to a query of this correspondent through Facebook messenger, she yesterday said she was still staying in India.  

Another BCL activist Prova also received the same punishment though she was staying inside her room during the incident, confirmed several resident students of the hall on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, BCL expelled some students showing them as BCL activists, but those students do not have any affiliation with the organisation.

Nusrat Mithila does not hold any post in the organisation, but surprisingly she has been expelled from the organisation. Sanam Shitihi and Anamika Das were two other students who do not hold any BCL post either.

Talking to The Daily Star, some of the expelled BCL leaders claimed that the organisation did not probe the incident properly and expelled them as per Isha's wish.

They claimed that Isha had intentionally put those names out of personal grudge as they were followers of Khaleda Hossain Moon and that Isha had personal conflict with her.

Some resident students of the hall alleged that Isha had been torturing the students for taking part in the quota reform protest since beginning of the movement.

This correspondent repeatedly tried to reach BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag and General Secretary SM Jakir Hossain over the phone last night, but they did not pick up the phone.  At one point, Jakir's phone was found switched off.

He then tried to contact Dhaka University unit of BCL President Abid Al Hasan and General Secretary Motaher Hossain Prince, but they did not pick up the phone either.