->Endeavorbd: /* Violence */

2021-12-23T19:45:35Z

Violence

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{{short description|Students' Political Organisation in Bangladesh}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Bangladesh Chhatra League
| native_name = বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগ
| native_name_lang = bn
| logo = Bangladesh Chhatra League official logo.webp
| logo_alt =
| caption = Bangladesh Chhatra League Badge
| colorcode = green
| abbreviation = BSL
| leader =
| president = Al Nahean Khan Joy<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:ছাত্রলীগ থেকে বাদ শোভন -রাব্বানী, দায়িত্বে জয়-লেখক |url= https://prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1614357/ছাত্রলীগ-থেকে-বাদ-শোভন-রাব্বানী-দায়িত্বে-জয়-লেখক |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref>
| chairperson =
| general_secretary = Lekhak Bhattacharjee
| first_secretary =
| secretary_general =
| presidium =
| standing_committee =
| predecessor = [[East Pakistan Muslim Students' League]]
| secretary =
| spokesperson =
| founder = [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]
| founded = {{start date and age|1948|01|04|df=yes}}
| headquarters = 23, Bangabandhu Avenue, Gulistan, Dhaka-1000
| ideology =
| international =
| flag = বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগের পতাকা.svg
| website = {{URL|bsl.org.bd}}
| country = Bangladesh
}}

The '''Bangladesh Chhatra League''' ({{lang-bn|বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগ; [[translation]]: Bangladesh Students' League}}; {{small|abbr.}} '''BSL'''), formerly known as the '''East Pakistan Student League''', often simply called the '''Chhatra League''', is a students' [[political organisation]] in [[Bangladesh]], founded by [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] on 4 January 1948. BSL is the student wing of the [[Bangladesh Awami League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45069935 |title=Bangladesh students attacked during Dhaka protest |work=BBC News |date=4 August 2018}}</ref>

BSL has been repeatedly accused of using torture, extortion, violence, and killings to instill fear.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/father-demands-justice-after-beating-to-death-of-student-in-dhaka|title=Father demands justice after student beaten to death in Bangladesh|last=Delhi|first=Redwan Ahmed Rebecca Ratcliffe in|date=2019-10-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-17|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49979097|title=Killing of Bangladesh student triggers protests|work=BBC News|date=2019-10-08|access-date=2019-10-17|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/bangladesh-student-killing-sparks-university-protests|title=Bangladesh Student Killing Sparks University Protests|work=Voice of America|language=en|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> At least 33 people were killed and 1,500 got seriously injured from attacks by BSL between 2009 and 2014. Number of fatalities rose to 129 between 2014 and 2018 while 31 people were killed in 2018 alone.<ref name="ds11Oct2019" />

A BSL leader was arrested for links with the banned terrorist group [[Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh]] in a militant hunt after the [[July 2016 Dhaka attack]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Chhatra League leader arrested for militant links |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2016/06/13/chhatra-league-leader-arrested-militant-links |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref> The leaders and activists of the organization was found involved in the [[2021 Bangladesh communal violence]].<ref>{{cite news |date= 23 October 2021|title=Pirganj Communal Violence: BCL man sparked the blaze|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/pirganj-communal-violence-bcl-man-sparked-the-blaze-2204896|newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>

Following the attacks on [[2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests|student protesters]] in 2018, a petition was started by general people of Bangladesh to "Enlist Bangladesh Chhatra League (BSL) as a Terrorist Organization" at [[Change.org]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Awami League / Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) |url=https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/awami-league-bangladesh-chhatra-league-bcl |work=Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.democracynewslive.com/world/bloody-sunday-in-bangladesh-506603|title=Bloody Sunday in Bangladesh|website=Democracy News|date=5 August 2018}}</ref> In 2019, prominent English language daily of Bangladesh, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'' labelled the organization as "the brand of shame".<ref>{{cite news |title=The brand of shame that is Chhatra League |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2019/10/10/the-brand-of-shame-that-is-chhatra-league-murders-brutality-arson-and-controversies-aplenty |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref>

== History ==
On 4 January 1948, the East Pakistan Muslim Chhatra League was established by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at a meeting in [[Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall]] at the [[University of Dhaka]]. The organisation's name was later changed{{when|date=August 2018}} to the Bangladesh Chhatra League. Naeemuddin Ahmed was the first convener of BSL,{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} while Khalek Newaz Khan was the founder general secretary of the Chhatra League.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

During the 1971 [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], members of the Chhatra League were recruited into the [[Mujib Bahini]] (also known as the Bengal Liberation Force),{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} an armed group trained by India's foreign intelligence agency, the [[Research and Analysis Wing]]. However, their exact involvement in the war is disputed, with [[Zafrullah Chowdhury]] stating, "The Mujib Bahini did not fight the liberation war."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Taib |last2=Islam |first2=Khadimul |date=16 December 2014 |title='Mujib Bahini didn't fight liberation war' |url=http://newagebd.net/77152/mujib-bahini-didnt-fight-liberation-war/#sthash.ZMNsQNLM.dpbs |newspaper=New Age |access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> In 2014, [[A. K. Khandker]] was sued for accusing the Mujib Bahini of hooliganism and looting during the war in his book in his book ''1971: Bhetore Baire''.<ref>{{cite news |title=AK Khandker sued for 'Mujib Bahini's looting' claim |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/ak-khandker-sued-for-mujib-bahinis-looting-claim-41063 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=10 September 2014 |access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref>

== Violence ==

=== Rape and violence against women ===
Since 1990s numerous rape and sexual violence allegations have surfaced in the media involving Chhatra League leaders and activists. Chhatra League leaders and activists often use rape as a tool to suppress the women and create an environment of fear.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/spotlight/fear-part-the-curriculum-1528483|title=Fear, a part of the curriculum|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> There are well documented incidents that Chhatra League leaders have even celebrated their century of raping women.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/perspective/rape-impunity-and-power-then-and-now-1442611|title=Rape, impunity and power—then and now|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

==== Culture of rape in Jahangirnagar University ====
{{main article|1999 JU Anti-Rape Movement}}
The general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League Jahangirnagar University unit, Jasimuddin Manik and his followers celebrated the rape of 100th girls including at least 20 students of the university in 1998. This led to a series of protests which resulted in the expulsion of Manik and his followers from the university on 2 August 1999 after the [[1999 JU Anti-Rape Movement]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/perspective/rape-impunity-and-power-then-and-now-1442611|title=Rape, impunity and power—then and now|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

==== Women harassment on Pohela Boishakh 2015 ====
On Bangla New Year celebration of Dhaka University campus, a group of students sexually assaulted women on the venue and tried to strip them off their clothing.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2015/04/15/boishakh-celebration-women-harassed-near-tsc|title=Boishakh celebration: Women harassed near TSC|date=2015-04-15|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref> Law enforcement was present in the vicinity, yet the miscreants were not stopped, according to witness accounts:<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/outrage-over-sex-assault-77496|title=Outrage over sex assault|date=2015-04-16|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref><blockquote>"When we sought help from a few policemen standing 20 yards from the spot, they said that the area was beyond their jurisdiction,” said Amit who also came under attack by the youths and had his fingers fractured.

Amit along with five of his fellow activists had tried to save a group of women aged between 25-30 years from the rowdy youths.

"The youths were divided into three groups and each group had 10-12 of them. People everywhere around were blowing vuvuzela so loudly that nobody could hear the victims' cry for help," he said, adding thousands of people were milling around the area, making it difficult for them to prevent the attackers.</blockquote>Despite having CCTV footage which clearly identified the culprits, the police made no arrests by 2019:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/2019/04/14/4-years-on-no-progress-in-pohela-boishakh-sexual-harassment-trial|title=4 years on, no progress in Pohela Boishakh sexual harassment trial|date=2019-04-14|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref><blockquote>The probe over the incident was forced to end as the DB police failed to concretely identify any of the culprits beyond simple facial and visual CCTV recording during their eight-month-long investigation. DB Sub inspector Dipok Kumar Das submitted a final report to court on 13 December 2015, saying he had failed to identify any of the suspects.</blockquote>As the ruling party Awami League has control over law enforcement and Chhatra League is the student wing of Awami League, it is widely speculated that the police assisted Chhatra League to carry out these attacks by taking no action to stop them and by making no arrests. Notably, Chhatra League also prevented its female members from protesting this incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2015/04/19/chhatra-league-reins-in-its-women|title=Chhatra League reins in its women|date=2015-04-19|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>

==== MC College rape allegations ====

On 28 September, ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]'', reported that BCL had participated in factional clashes at [[Murari Chand College|MC College]], which resulted in 4 people dying in various incidents since 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-28|title=BCL reign over MC College: Crimes thrive on factional politics|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/bcl-reign-over-sylhet-mc-college-crimes-thrive-factional-politics-1968633|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> The report came after BCL activists allegedly raped a woman in front of "BCL Men's Room" at MC College.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Husband held hostage, wife gang-raped before 'BCL men's room' in college hostel|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/husband-held-hostage-wife-gang-raped-before-bcl-mens-room-in-college-hostel|work=Prothom Alo|language=en|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> The victim's husband has filed a rape against several BCL activists<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gang rape at MC College hostel: Case filed against 6 BCL men, 3 others|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/gang-rape-at-mc-college-hostel-case-filed-against-6-bcl-men-3-others|work=Prothom Alo|language=en|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> and the victim has named several in her court statement.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-27|title=MC College rape: Court records victim's statement|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/mc-college-rape-court-records-victims-statement-1968373|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> A total of 7 suspects have been arrested as of 29 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-29|title=MC College Gang Rape: 3 more suspects on 5-day remand|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/09/29/mc-college-gang-rape-3-more-suspects-on-5-day-remand|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Police arrest two suspects in Sylhet MC College rape|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2020/09/27/police-arrest-key-suspect-in-sylhet-mc-college-rape|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> DNA reports have confirmed involvement of the suspects.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-30|title=DNA report confirms MC College gang rape|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/11/30/dna-report-confirms-mc-college-gang-rape|access-date=2020-11-30|work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=DNA report shows involvement of accused in MC College gang rape|url=https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/dna-report-shows-involvement-of-accused-in-mc-college-gang-rape-1606728196|access-date=2020-11-30|work=The Financial Express|location=Dhaka|language=en}}</ref>

==== Rape of tourist in Cox's Bazar ====
A woman tourist, housewife and mother of an eight-month-old child, was gang-raped by the close aides of Cox's Bazar district Chhatra League President SM Saddam Hossain. The woman tourist was first separated from her husband and children, who were held as hostages by the three alleged rapists while the woman tourist was raped in the tourism capital of Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/tourist-raped-coxs-bazar-2924216|title=Tourist raped in Cox’s Bazar|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref> Prominent women rights activist Shireen Huq opined that the incident is "misogyny and banditry at its worst."

=== Murder and terrorism ===

==== Murder of Abrar Fahad ====
{{main article|Murder of Abrar Fahad}}
A student of [[Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology]] was beaten to death after Bangladesh Chhatra League men allegedly questioned him suspecting his involvement with Shibir.<ref>{{cite news |title=Buet student murdered after 'BCL men grilled' him |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/buet-student-found-dead-dormitory-1810519 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="ds11Oct2019">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/spotlight/news/terror-rising-1811842|title=Terror Rising|date=2019-10-11|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2019/10/09/four-hours-of-torture-led-to-abrar-s-death|title=Four hours of torture led to Abrar's death|date=2019-10-09|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref>

Alleged students are: Mehedi Hasan Rasel of civil engineering, general secretary of Buet BSL, Muhtasim Fuad of civil engineering vice-president, Mehedi Hasan Robein of chemical engineering, the organizing secretary, Anik Sarker of mechanical engineering, the secretary of information and research affairs, Ishtiaq Ahmed Munna of mechanical engineering, the publication affairs secretary, Ifti Mosharraf Shakal of biomedical engineering batch-16, the deputy social welfare secretary, Meftahul Islam Zion of naval architecture and marine engineering, the sports secretary, Muzahidur Rahman Muzahid of civil engineering, Muntasir Alam Jemi of chemical engineering and Khandaker Tabakhkharul Islam Tanvir of mechanical engineering, Moniruzzaman Monir, Water Resources Engineering Department, Akash Hossain, Civil Engineering Department and Shamsul Arefin Rafat, Mechanical Engineering Department of Buet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Abrar murder: 3 more Buet students arrested |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/10-remanded-buet-student-abrar-murder-case-1810987 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

==== Murder of Biswajit Das ====
{{Main|Murder of Biswajit Das}}
Biswajit Das, a 24-year-old tailor in [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh, was murdered on 9 December 2012 by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League who mistook Das for an opposition supporter. Das was chased and attacked with [[machete]]s, iron bars, and hockey sticks.<ref name="ds3Jun2013">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news/21-bcl-men-indicted|title=21 BCL men indicted|date=3 June 2013|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-08-03}}</ref> He was taken to [[Mitford Hospital, Dhaka|Mitford Hospital]], where he shortly died of his wounds.<ref name="bdn18Dec2013">{{cite news|url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/12/18/eight-to-die-for-biswajit-murder|title=Eight to die for Biswajit murder, 13 get life|date=18 December 2013|newspaper=bdnews24.com|access-date=2017-08-03}}</ref> Twenty-one BSL activists were found guilty of murder on 18 December 2013. Eight were sentenced to death and thirteen were sentenced to life in prison.<ref name="livemint">{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/jmtTMbVQ4hRsD3YibeglWO/Bangladesh-sentences-eight-students-to-death-for-murder.html|title=Bangladesh sentences eight students to death for murder|date=18 December 2013|newspaper=[[LiveMint]]|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2017-08-03}}</ref> Only eight of the twenty-one defendants were in custody at the time of the sentence, with the remaining thirteen tried in absentia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-25431557|title=Bangladesh sentences eight students to death for murder|date=18 December 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/8-awami-activists-get-death-for-murder-of-hindu-man/article5474260.ece|title=8 Awami activists get death for murder of Hindu man|date=18 December 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|agency=Press Trust of India|access-date=2017-01-29}}</ref>

==== 2018 conflicts ====
In March 2018, a student of [[Shahjalal University of Science and Technology]] (SUST) suffered a bullet wound during a clash between two BSL factions.<ref name="student_shot_2018_03_21_theindependentbd_com">{{cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/142409 |title=Student shot during BCL infighting at SUST|date=21 March 2018 |work=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Reportedly, two factions of the SUST unit of BSL, led by vice-presidents of the unit, had battled over establishing supremacy on the campus. A group of BSL men, led by Akando and colleagues, attacked another man in a restaurant near the university. The man responded with a gunshot which injured another student.<ref name="student_shot_2018_03_21_theindependentbd_com" />

In July 2018, protests and counter-violence erupted at various universities, particularly [[Rajshahi University]], over the [[Bangladesh Quota Reform Protests 2018|quota reform movement]], which sought to change the quota system that allocated 56% of Bangladesh government jobs to specific classes. In a protest procession on 2 July 2018, quota-reform movement leader Toriqul Islam and 15 others were attacked with sticks, bamboo poles, a dagger and a hammer. Islam's leg was broken as a result of the attack. A correspondent from ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]'' filmed the incident and the newspaper reported that it had identified eleven of the attackers, stating that ten were members of the BSL.<ref name="rajshahi_police_2018_07_09_dailystar_net">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/rajshahi-police-saw-nothing-1602220|title=Rajshahi police saw nothing!|date=9 July 2018 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="injured_quota_protester_2018_07_08_dhaka_tribune">{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/07/08/injured-quota-reform-activist-tariqul-being-moved-to-dhaka-for-treatment|title=Injured quota protester Tariqul moved to Dhaka|date=8 July 2018|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Video and photos of the attack circulated on social media, prompting criticism over police and university administration inaction.<ref name="rajshahi_police_2018_07_09_dailystar_net" />

==== Dhaka road safety protest attacks ====
{{Main|2018 Bangladesh road safety protests}}
On 29 July 2018, two students were killed and a further twelve people were injured when a bus hit a bus stop in Dhaka. Protests began shortly afterward, demanding better road safety. During the protests, BSL members were alleged to have been involved in numerous attacks on protestors throughout Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2018/08/04/live-students-block-streets-in-uttara|title=Minute by the minute: Saturday's protest ends with violence in Jigatola |date=4 August 2018 |work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2018-08-04|language=en-US}}</ref> On 5 August 2018, a number of photojournalists were attacked, allegedly by members of the BSL wearing helmets. Law enforcement officers were present but did not make any attempt to stop the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/5-photojournalists-hurt-in-bcl-men-attack-science-lab-dhaka-student-protest-for-safe-roads-1616251|title=5 photojournalists hurt in 'BCL attack' |date=5 August 2018 |work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-08-05|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/160959|title=6 photojournalists injured in attacks by 'BCL' |date=5 August 2018|newspaper=The Independent|location=Bangladesh|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref>

==== Attack on journalists ====

[[Reporters Without Borders]] in its 2020 country report mentioned that during the 2020 Dhaka City Corporation Election, Chhatra League goons attacked and beaten at least 10 journalists brutally as they tried to cover the massive rigging during the election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rsf.org/en/bangladesh|title=Tougher politics, more press freedom violations |date=29 April 2020 |work=Reporters Without Borders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429101439/https://rsf.org/en/bangladesh |access-date=2020-09-12|archive-date=29 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Attacks on Anti-Modi Protesters ====
{{main article|2021 Bangladesh Anti-Modi Protest}}
Leader of Dhaka University's Chhatra League unit Sanjit Chandra Das declared to "peel off the skin" of the protesters if they protest against Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s visit in March 2021 to Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=DU BCL president threatens to 'peel off the skin' of anti-Modi protesters on campus|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/du-bcl-president-threatens-peel-the-skin-anti-modi-protesters-campus-2063041|work=The Daily Star |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> His supporters attacked progressive students, Muslims inside the national mosque compound in Dhaka,<ref>{{cite news |title=Clashes break out in Baitul Mukarram area |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/clashes-break-out-at-baitul-mukarram-area|work=Prothom Alo|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> and students inside a madrasa compound in Brahmanbaria to quell their protests against Modi triggering a violent [[2021 Bangladesh Anti-Modi Protest|anti-Modi protest]] across the country that claimed 10 lives as of 27 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=5 shot dead during clashes in Brahmanbaria|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/5-shot-dead-during-clashes-brahmanbaria-2067741|work=The Daily Star |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref>

=== Communal Violence ===

==== Role in 2021 attack on Hindus ====

Leaders and activists of the Chhatra League were found involved in the coordinated attacks on the Hindu community of Bangladesh in at least two districts during the [[2021 Bangladesh communal violence]], [[Chandpur District|Chandpur]] and [[Rangpur District|Rangpur]].

In Rangpur, Saikat Mandal, the vice-president of the philosophy department Chhatra League at Rangpur's Carmichael College, who had a personal conflict with a local Hindu youth Paritosh Sarkar, collaborated with the imam of a local mosque to instigate the local Muslim population to conduct the attack on Hindu villages of the area.<ref>{{cite news |date= 23 October 2021|title=Pirganj Communal Violence: BCL man sparked the blaze|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/pirganj-communal-violence-bcl-man-sparked-the-blaze-2204896|newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>

In Chandpur, two Chhatra League activists initiated a protest on the alleged "demeaning of Quran]] that lead to the attack on local temples and pandals.<ref>{{cite news |date= 20 October 2021|title=Hajiganj mayhem began with Facebook post like previous incidents of communal violence|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/pattern-always-the-same-2202321|access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>

== Structure ==
Principles: Education, Peace, Progress

Ideology: [[Bengali nationalism|Bengali Nationalism]]

Number of units: 111

Main Unit: [[University of Dhaka]] Unit

Current Organizational Guardian: [[Sheikh Hasina]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sarkar|first=Rasel|script-title=bn:৭৩ বছরে ছাত্রলীগ|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/article1844068.bdnews|access-date=2021-01-29|work=bdnews24.com|language=bn}}</ref>

== Former presidents and general secretaries ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
!
!Year
!Presidents
!Later role/Affiliation
!General secretaries
!Later role/Affiliation
|-
| align="left" | 1
|1947-1947
|Naimuddin Ahmed
|Unknown
|Adnan Ali Khadem
|Unknown
|-
| align="left" |2
|1947-1950
|Dabirul Islam
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]], [[Krishak Sramik Party|KSP]]
|[[Khaleque Nawaz Khan]]
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]], [[Krishak Sramik Party|KSP]]
|-
| align="left" |3
|1950-52
|[[Khaleque Nawaz Khan]]
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]], [[Krishak Sramik Party|KSP]]
|Kamruzzaman
|Presidium Member, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |4
|1952-53
|Kamruzzaman
|Presidium Member, [[Awami League]]
|[[MA Wadud]]
|Journalist, [[The Daily Ittefaq]]
|-
| align="left" |5
|1953-57
|[[Abdul Momin Talukdar]]
|Deputy Minister, LGRD and Cooperative
|MA Awal
|Convenor, [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]]
|-
| align="left" |6
|1957-60
|Rafiq Ullah Choudhury
|Prime Minister's Secretary
|[[Shah Moazzem Hossain]] (In-charge, after Azhar Ali resigned)
|Vice President, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|-
| align="left" |7
|1960-63
|[[Shah Moazzem Hossain]]
|Vice President, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|[[Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani]]
|Executive Committee member, [[Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League|BAKSAL]]
|-
| align="left" |8
|1963-65
|[[KM Obaidur Rahman]]
|General Secretary, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|[[Serajul Alam Khan]]
|Founder, [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]]
|-
| align="left" |9
|1965-67
|Syed Mazharul Haque Baki
|Unknown
|[[Abdur Razzaq (politician)|Abdur Razzaq]]
|Presidium member, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |10
|1967-68
|[[Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi]]
|Joint Secretary, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]] & Founder [[Progressive Democratic Party (Bangladesh)|PDP]]
|[[Abdur Razzaq (politician)|Abdur Razzaq]]
|Presidium member, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |11
|1968-69
|Abdur Rauf
|Expelled, MP from [[Awami League]]
|Khaled Mohammad Ali
|Unknown
|-
| align="left" |12
|1969-70
|[[Tofail Ahmed]]
|Minister, MP and Presidium Member from [[Awami League]]
|[[A. S. M. Abdur Rab]]
|President, [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD]]
|-
| align="left" |13
|1970-72
|[[Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui]]
|Businessman
|Shajahan Siraj (Expelled in 1972)
|Minister & MP from [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|-
| align="left" |14
|1972-1972
|[[Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui]]
|Businessman
|Ismat Kadir Gamma
|Unknown
|-
| align="left" |15
|1972-1973
|[[Sheikh Shahidul Islam]]
|Secretary General, [[Jatiya Party (Manju)]]
|MA Radhid
|Unknown
|-
| align="left" |16
|1973-74
|[[Monirul Haq Chowdhury]]
|Vice President, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|[[Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin]]
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |17
|1976-77
|MA Awal (Convenor)
|Unknown
|N/A
|N/A
|-
| align="left" |18
|1977-81
|[[Obaidul Quader]], MP
|General Secretary, [[Awami League]]
|Bahalul Majnun Chunnu
|Unknown
|-
| align="left" |19
|1981-83
|[[Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin]]
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|AKM Jahangir Hossain
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |20
|1983-85
|Abdul Mannan
|Organizing Secretary, [[Awami League]]
|[[Jahangir Kabir Nanak]]
|Presidium Member, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |21
|1986-88
|[[Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed]], MP
|Parliament member from [[Gono Forum]]
|[[Md. Abdur Rahman]], MP
|Joint Secretary, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |22
|1988-1990
|Habibur Rahman
|Expelled, Advisor of [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]]
|[[Ashim Kumar Ukil]], MP
|Cultural Secretary, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |23
|1990-92
|Shahe Alam
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|[[Ashim Kumar Ukil]], MP
|Cultural Secretary, [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |24
|1992-94
|Mainuddin Hossain Chowdhury
|Inactive in politics
|Iqbalur Rahim
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |25
|1994-98
|[[AKM Enamul Haque Shamim]]
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|Ishaq Ali Khan Panna
|Inactive in politics
|-
| align="left" |26
|1999-02
|Bahadur Bepari
|Executive Committee member, [[Awami League]]
|Ajay Kar Khokon
|Inactive in politics
|-
| align="left" |27
|2002-06
|Liaqat Shikder
|Sub-committee member [[Awami League]]
|Nazrul Islam Babu
|MP from [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |28
|2006-11
|Mahmud Hasan Ripon
|Inactive in politics
|Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton
|Inactive in politics
|-
| align="left" |29
|2011-15
|HM Badiuzzaman Sohag
|Active in Bagerhat [[Awami League]]
|Siddiqui Nazmul Alam
|Resides in UK, inactive
|-
| align="left" |30
|2015-2018
|Saifur Rahman Sohag
|Active in Madaripur [[Awami League]]
|SM Zakir Hossain
|Active in Sylhet [[Awami League]]
|-
| align="left" |31
|2018-2019
|Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon
|Inactive in politics
|Golam Rabbani
|Inactive in politics
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of student organizations in Bangladesh]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* Website: https://bsl.org.bd/
* [https://www.facebook.com/bslcentral/ Bangladesh Chhatra League] on [[Facebook]]

{{Bangladesh Awami League}}

[[Category:Student organisations in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Student wings of political parties in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Awami League]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi student movements]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1948]]

Bangladesh Chhatra League - Revision history

FlorenciaMacDevi at 13:44, 23 March 2026

Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

->Endeavorbd: /* Violence */