The Islami University (IU) unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti has put up a banner on the campus titled “The Many Failures of the BNP Government in 200 Days,” accusing the government of failures in various sectors, including deteriorating law and order, political violence, partisan appointments, extortion and land grabbing, fuel shortages, and rising prices of essential commodities.

The organisation displayed the banner at the Jhal Chattar on Monday (October 5) afternoon, outlining its criticisms of the government’s performance during its first 200 days.

The banner claimed that more than 120 people had been killed in mob violence during the government’s first six months. It also claimed that 395 rape incidents, 1,789 murder cases, and 11,160 cases of violence against women and children were recorded between February and July. It further stated that 2,574 people were injured in 400 incidents of political violence during the same period.

Alleging politicisation and appointment trading in state institutions, the organisation claimed that 19 of the 20 vice-chancellors appointed to public universities had links to BNP politics. It also alleged that leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations had been appointed to key positions in various government agencies, boards, corporations and urban development authorities.

Regarding extortion and land grabbing, the banner cited Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) data, claiming that BNP leaders and activists were allegedly involved in 83 per cent of complaints related to extortion and the grabbing of land and property. It also referred to allegations of extortion at 58 specific locations in Dhaka and more than 200 clashes reportedly stemming from internal BNP conflicts, disputes over the distribution of extortion proceeds and struggles for dominance.

The organisation also highlighted several alleged attacks on activists of opposition political parties in different districts. These included an alleged attack on an NCP leader, obstruction of the July procession programme, and attacks on political activists in various locations.

On fuel and the rising prices of essential commodities, the banner claimed that the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder had risen to as much as Tk 2,500. It also claimed that vegetable prices had increased by Tk 10 to Tk 30 and that a dozen eggs had crossed Tk 180. Fuel shortages in March and April, as well as gas shortages in various industrial areas, had also disrupted production, according to the banner.

The organisation also criticised the government’s policies regarding the appointment of the Bangladesh Bank governor, reforms in the banking sector, the adoption of mega projects and the transfer of terminals at Chattogram Port to foreign companies.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti Member Secretary Iftehar Uddin said, “As the first elected government after the mass uprising, the BNP government has completely failed to meet the expectations of the people. It is our duty to highlight these failures before the students. The incidents of attacks on journalists across the country, particularly the attack on Nasiruddin Patwari yesterday, demonstrate that the BNP government has completely failed to control its terrorist forces. We hope the BNP government will rein in its terrorist forces and work effectively to fulfil the expectations of the people.”

Convener Fuad Hasan said, “We have highlighted some of the mistakes and failures of the BNP government. Through attacks, mob terrorism, rising prices, extortion, land grabbing and partisan appointments, they are destroying the expectations of the people who participated in the July mass uprising. Its reflection can also be seen at the university. We urge the government to rein in its partisan goons, stop extortion and land grabbing, and ensure good governance and the security of the people. We want a Bangladesh based on the aspirations of the July mass uprising, not a new fascism.”