The Revolutionary Student Unity staged a protest rally at Dhaka University on Wednesday, demanding the trial of former interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum over the reported deaths of more than three hundred children from measles. The organisation also called for measles to be declared an epidemic and for comprehensive nationwide measures to contain its spread.
The demonstration was held in the afternoon at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the university campus. Protesters carried symbolic bodies of children as part of their demonstration and raised allegations of administrative failure in controlling the outbreak.
Speakers at the rally accused the previous administration of failing to effectively manage the measles situation, which they claim resulted in a large number of child deaths. They demanded accountability from the then head of government and the health adviser for what they described as negligence in public health management.
Key Claims and Demands Raised
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organising body | Revolutionary Student Unity |
| Location | Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture, Dhaka University |
| Main allegation | Administrative failure in managing measles outbreak |
| Reported fatalities | Over 300 children (government figure cited) |
| Main demand | Declaration of measles as an epidemic and nationwide prevention measures |
| Legal demand | Investigation and trial of former interim government officials |
The central president of the organisation, Dilip Roy, stated that the public had brought down what he described as a “fascist government” through a mass uprising, and that children represent the future of that change. He further stated that the current measles crisis is not natural but human-induced.
He also commented that while various issues are discussed in parliament, critical public health concerns such as measles and international agreements are not adequately addressed. He alleged that major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, have not taken clear positions on these matters.
In his remarks, he further criticised certain groups for their silence on child deaths, stating that while external political slogans may be raised, internal concerns over public health are not addressed.
The organisation’s general secretary, Jabir Ahmed Jubel, stated that measles has spread across 58 of the country’s 64 districts. He urged the government to officially declare measles an epidemic and take urgent nationwide preventive measures. He also alleged that neither the previous interim government nor the current administration had taken effective action to control the outbreak.
He further criticised opposition to the establishment of a temporary medical camp for measles treatment at the central playground of Dhaka University.
Nuzia Hasan Rasha, central committee finance secretary and former president of the Dhaka University unit, called for immediate government intervention to contain the outbreak. She also demanded investigation and accountability for those responsible in the previous interim administration.
She specifically called for legal proceedings against former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum. In her remarks, she also criticised policy decisions of the previous administration.
Another speaker, Jahidul Islam Riyad, general secretary of the Dhaka University unit, stated that over three hundred children have died in hospital according to government figures. He further referred to the former chief adviser’s visit to Japan during the same period.
The rally concluded with renewed calls for urgent public health intervention, accountability, and expanded medical response measures to address the reported outbreak.