DHAKA, April 1, 2024 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said that Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) should not be made as a hideout of militancy in the name of depoliticizing the campus.

“There was always student politics in BUET. Many elite politicians of the country have passed from BUET,” he said.

Dr Hasan, also joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL),  was addressing a discussion titled ‘Smart Bangladesh of the Liberation War’ at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here, marking the 56th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Cholochitra Sangbadik Samity (BACHSAS).   

He said the quarter which boycotted the January 7 general election now wants to depoliticize the entire country by depoliticizing BUET.

It (the quarter) failed to yield any result by boycotting elections using the foreigners as the world leaders congratulated the Prime Minister, Dr Hasan added.
 
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and actor Ferdous Ahmed, MP, spoke at the event as special guests.

The foreign minister said an unwanted incident was occurred place in BUET and the trial of the incident has been completed.

“But we have to find out whether the banned militant groups have been active on the campus in the guise of banning progressive politics,” he added.

Questioning the incident of expelling a BUET student for doing politics outside the campus, Dr Hasan said, “We respect the movement of general students in BUET. But there is a fear of turning BUET into a hideout of militancy by taking the opportunity of the general students' movement. It cannot be accepted at all”.

Putting emphasis on practicing cultural activities to save the general students from going astray,   he said there is a need for a cultural awakening in the country.

The foreign minister lauded the role of BACHSAS in practicing cultural activities for more than half a century.

BACHSAS President Raju Alim presided over the discussion while Minister (press) at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi Shaban Mahmud, BFUJ- Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Omar Faruque, Editors’ Forum Convener Rafiqul Islam Ratan and BACHSAS General Secretary Riman Mahfuz joined it, among others.