Students associated with the anti-discrimination movement have called for the resignation of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Mozammel Haque. They also urged BNP leaders to learn from the fate of the Awami League and act with caution. These statements were made during a meeting held at the KMP headquarters yesterday afternoon, which included local politicians and students from various institutions.
Addressing the police commissioner, the students remarked, “For 16 years, the BNP was unable to mobilize the public effectively. In contrast, our apolitical anti-discrimination movement has garnered significant public support. We have observed your police force’s subservience to the authoritarian Awami League government. As we work to reform the country apolitically, why are you engaging with political party leaders here?” They further criticized the administration, stating, “Your administration is marked by sycophancy. If this continues, we fear that ordinary students like us will face similar challenges. The blood of the martyrs has not yet dried, and another party has already begun its rallies. Your meetings with them are inappropriate.” The students also condemned the police for failing to act against perpetrators while detaining protesters, insisting, “We do not want a police commissioner like you in Khulna. We demand your resignation. Additionally, all administrative officials involved on that day should be transferred.”
“For 16 years, the BNP was unable to mobilize the public effectively. In contrast, our apolitical anti-discrimination movement has garnered significant public support. We have observed your police force’s subservience to the authoritarian Awami League government. As we work to reform the country apolitically, why are you engaging with political party leaders here?”
During the meeting, Al Mujahid Akash, a key coordinator of the anti-discrimination movement in Khulna, asked the police commissioner, “Why did you fire upon us in an independent Bangladesh? Who ordered you to shoot at us?” In response, KMP Commissioner Mozammel Haque issued an unconditional apology to the students for the police actions during the quota reform movement.
Sajidul Islam, a central co-coordinator of the anti-discrimination movement, emphasized, “We need to prepare ourselves effectively for the future.”
The meeting also saw BNP leaders, including Khulna Metropolitan BNP Convener Shafiqul Alam (Mona) and Secretary Shafiqul Alam (Tuhin), seated alongside the police commissioner. This arrangement provoked criticism from the students, who voiced their dissatisfaction with the police administration. Coordinator Tanveer stated, “You have long worked for a political party. Now, you have convened a meeting with another political party. Your sycophancy remains evident. We demand the transfer of sycophantic police officers and necessary reforms within your department. End the sycophancy.” The students also cautioned BNP leaders, “The ongoing unrest in the city is associated with your names. Why are you not learning from the fate of the Awami League? Failure to learn from history will result in future repercussions.”
The students also cautioned BNP leaders, “The ongoing unrest in the city is associated with your names. Why are you not learning from the fate of the Awami League? Failure to learn from history will result in future repercussions.”
In response, Khulna Metropolitan BNP Convener Shafiqul Alam assured, “If any BNP members are found to be involved in the recent violence, they will be held accountable.”
