Chhatra League will give a fitting reply to those student leaders of the quota reform movement who last night labelled themselves Razakars and showed arrogance, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, made the remark during a briefing to journalists at the party president's political office in Dhanmondi today.

He said, "The issue of the students will remain confined to the campus. But we will see who comes out politically in the open, and when that happens, we will be prepared to confront them."

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The 'Razakar' back and forth: Who said what?

Earlier on last night students of several public universities brought out protest over what they said was a "disparaging comment" by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier yesterday afternoon.

During the PM's press conference on her recent China visit, Hasina said in response to a journalist's question: "Why is there so much resentment against the Liberation War and the freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don't get quotas, then should the grandchildren of razakars [Pakistani collaborators] get quotas? That is my question."

The BNP appears to be apprehensive about the sudden controversy over the resignation letter of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The party, which had been on the receiving end of severe persecution by the Awami League during its 15-year rule, is keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding the issue that has arisen two and a half months after the interim government took over.

"We are worried that the interim government might find itself in a precarious situation, potentially allowing a third party to take advantage," said a senior leader of the BNP, wishing not to be named.

The controversy arose after Manab Zamin's Editor-in-Chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury met President Mohammed Shahabuddin, and the daily's political magazine Janatar Chokh on Sunday ran their conversation where the president claimed he did not have a copy of the prime minister's resignation.

This claim runs contrary to what the president had said in his address to the nation after the fall of Awami League government in the face of a mass uprising. In his August 5 speech, he said the prime minister had tendered her resignation.

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Hasina’s resignation: ‘I have no documentary evidence’

BNP senior leaders said they suspect a move is afoot to remove the president and it may create a constitutional vacuum.

The party believes any constitutional crisis regarding the issue should be avoided at this moment, the senior leaders said.

The senior BNP leaders held a virtual meeting on Tuesday night and decided to make the party's position clear to the interim government.

Accordingly, a three-member delegation went to meet the chief adviser yesterday. There, the BNP spoke of its stance on the issue of calling for the president's resignation, said party sources.

At the party forum on Tuesday, BNP leaders discussed elaborately how things unfolded in the last few days.

They said the question over the former PM's resignation letter; then the demand for the president's resignation, and laying siege to the Bangabhaban are suspicious and there may be a conspiracy behind these.

Three senior leaders wishing not to be named told The Daily Star that they wonder whether this sudden move is an attempt to extend the term of the interim government.

They said the country's constitution was not suspended after the change of government following the uprising. The president administered oath to the members of the interim government. So, they argued, there is no question of going beyond the constitution now.

They said they are trying to figure out why the president claimed he did not have the resignation letter of Hasina.

"Almost all the senior leaders agree that removing the president won't be the right thing to do now," one of the standing committee members said.

After yesterday's meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP standing committee, said his party's delegation had urged the government to make sure that it does not give rise to a constitutional vacuum or crisis.

Salahuddin Ahmed, another standing committee member, said the president's is a constitutional post, and a sudden resignation will lead to a  crisis.

AR Rahman is currently at the 77th Cannes Film Festival to unveil his musical documentary "Headhunting to Beatboxing".

Directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by AR Rahman, the documentary follows the Naga tribe in Nagaland, a northeastern state in India, once engulfed in violence and bloodshed. The film showcases the tribe's resurrection through the healing power of music, highlighting their emergence into a musical renaissance.

In an interview with Bangla Tribune, the renowned musician talks about his love for Fakir Lalon Shah's song and his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The noted musician has a strong connection with Bangladesh and composed two songs for the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 2021. 

The songs, titled "Aaj o Shuni Bojrodhoni" in Bangla and "Joy Bangabandhu" in Hindi, feature A R Rahman's distinctive style combined with the meticulous lyrics of Zulfiqer Russell.

"I really enjoyed making both songs and the whole process. I have many well-wishers in Bangladesh. Even when I visit London, I meet many people from Bangladesh who appreciate my work," said the singer to the Bangladeshi journalist. 

In 2022, AR Rahman met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who gifted him a perfume. The international sensation had the opportunity to meet her during his concert organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

"I am really fortunate to have met the honourable prime minister. It was a wonderful experience, and she gifted me a big, beautiful perfume, which I still use regularly," added the musician.

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Asif Akbar shares experience of recording in AR Rahman’s studio

Regarding his love for Bangla music, AR Rahman revealed that he loves Bangla language. 

"I like the Bangla language very much because I find it melodious. I have listened to a lot of Rabindra Sangeet and songs by Fakir Lalon Shah," revealed AR Rahman.

While discussing Lalon Fakir's songs, AR Rahman revealed that he discovered Lalon Fakir's music about ten years ago while exploring the roots of folk and spiritual songs in India and its surrounding regions. During his research, he was fascinated by Lalon's songs, which created a special place in his heart.

At the end of the conversation, the journalist asked AR Rahman to say a few words for the Bangladeshi audience. "Sonar Bangla, I want to Bhalobashi. Love you," said the singer in Bengali.

After spending over nine years in India, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed returned to Bangladesh this afternoon.

"Salahuddin Ahmed departed from Delhi on a flight at 11:00am today and arrived at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:15pm," Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP's media cell, told The Daily Star.

According to BNP sources, Salahuddin exited the airport through the VIP gate at 3:00pm after completing the immigration process, with many party leaders and activists welcoming him.

In 2015, after being missing for 62 days, Salahuddin, a former state minister, was found in Shillong, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya on May 11.

He was arrested for entering India without valid documents and charged under the Foreigners Act.

Later, Shillong police pressed charges against him in the case.

BNP alleged that Salahuddin was abducted from his home in Uttara, Dhaka, on March 10, 2015, by individuals posing as detectives.

On October 26, 2018, a court in Shillong acquitted him of the charges related to his illegal entry.

This verdict was upheld by a higher court on February 28, 2023, which also directed the Indian government to arrange for his return to Bangladesh.

Students' sentiments were inflamed by what they termed was a "disparaging comment" by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her press conference on her recent China visit yesterday afternoon.

Her usage of the term Razakar (collaborators with Pakistani occupying forces in 1971) has become a point of contention, with students taking issue with it and many ministers having their say.

Hasina's comment

"Are the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters not talented? Are only the children and grandchildren of the razakars [collaborators] talented?"

"Why do they have so much resentment towards freedom fighters?" If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don't get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars get the benefit?"

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PM's comment ignites protests across campuses

Students' protest chants

Following the PM's comments, university students countrywide came out of their dorms last night with chants like:

"Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar! [Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!]" and "Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar [Asked for rights and became a Razakar]".

Dipu Moni, minister for social welfare (on Facebook)

"Those who introduce themselves as Razakars have no right to hold the blood-stained red and green flag of our Liberation War martyrs or to march with that flag tied to their foreheads."

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for ICT (on Facebook)

"Isn't it shameful to chant slogans in support of Razakars at Dhaka University, where Razakars committed mass murder of students and teachers on March 25 [1971]?"

Mohammad Ali Arafat, state minister for information and broadcasting, last night at Shahbagh

"We are against discrimination, we stand for merit. There is no need to be a Razakar for this...No demands will be accepted from those who want to become Razakars."

Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, education minister (on Facebook)

"…These people do not respect the court or the government. Therefore, it is not possible for this state to respect these traitors! They have raised the right slogan! Let the true faces of the Razakars of this era be revealed!"

Saddam Hossain, Bangladesh Chhatra League president, at Shahbagh

"Those who support Razakars will not be eligible for government or private jobs."