Different political, socio-cultural and student organisations in Rajshahi including Rajshahi University yesterday strongly criticised the university authorities for allowing a Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed organisation to hold programmes at RU Central Shaheed Minar on Independence Day.

The university authorities did not allow RU Sammilito Sangskritik Jote (SSJ) to hold programmes at the Shaheed Minar on the plea of emergency. The SSJ decided to wear black badges in Independence Day protesting the RU authorities' decision.

This is part of a plan by RU authorities to allow Shibir fully capture the campus, they said in separate statements.

Making RU authorities 'hostage', Shibir, student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, earlier established its supremacy in every filed on the campus except cultural sector. By holding cultural programmes at Shaheed Minar on Independence Day, they will fully capture the campus, the statements said.

They called on RU authorities to allow SSJ hold Independence Day programme at Central Shaheed Minar and demanded removal of pro-Jamaat TSCC Director Prof Siddiki.

Earlier, during BNP-Jamaat alliance government, Shibir occupied two rooms of Rajshahi University Central Students Union (RUCSU) building and has been using those for political activities instead of cultural programmes.

Recently, Shibir started observing all national programmes including Victory Day, Amar Ekushey and Independence Day on the campus.

Sources said, Shibir took 'permission' from Teachers Students Cultural Central (TSCC) authorities and forcibly held cultural programme at university Shaheed Minar, Sabas Bangladesh and on Rabindra Arts building premises where other cultural organisations regularly held cultural programmes earlier.

"RU authorities always prefer Shibir-loyal organisations for holding programme on the campus and impose restriction on progressive organisations", SSI said in the statement.

The RU unit of SSJ sought permission from TSCC authorities on March 2 for its programmes at Shaheed Minar on the Independence Day.

TSC authorities informed it that Shaheed Minar was already allotted for Bikalpa Sahita Sangsad, a Shibir-backed body.

On September 6 last year, Shibir activists, with alleged backing of authorities, foiled Anushilon Drama Group's scheduled programme at Shaheed Minar and held their political programme there.

Udichi activists alleged that RU TSC director is a 'controversial person' and always favours Shibir-loyal organisations on the campus.

Prof Moloy Kumar Bhowmik, president of Anushilon, told The Daily Star that allowing Shibit on the Shaheed Minar is a conspiracy against the spirit of the Liberation War.

RU administration is loyal to Jamaat and favours Shibir, he said. “It is not acceptable that Shibir will hold programme at Shaheed Minar”, he said.

Teachers, students and cultural activists at RU also condemned the authorities for favouring Shibir and demanded allowing SSI to hold Independence Day programmes at the Shaheed Minar.

Bangladesh Chhatra League, Chhatra Union, Samajtrantrik Chhatra Front and Progressive Students Alliance at RU in separate statement strongly protested the authorities' decision and urged all progressive people to launch a fresh movement against anti-liberation forces.