JCD shifts Aug 3 student rally from Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Wednesday decided to move its planned student rally on August 3 from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh, despite having secured permission for the original venue.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said the decision was made in response to a request from the National Citizen Party (NCP), which has also scheduled a rally at the same time and place.

“We received permission to hold the event at Shaheed Minar, and we chose the venue to avoid causing trouble for the public. In the interest of peace and cooperation, we have agreed to relocate our rally to Shahbagh,” he said.

The JCD President acknowledged that holding the rally at Shahbagh, a key intersection in Dhaka, may cause traffic disruptions. “We apologise in advance to city residents for any inconvenience,” Rakib added.

The JCD had earlier announced a series of programmes marking the anniversary of the July Uprising, with the August 3 student rally being one of the key events.

He said they submitted a formal request for Shaheed Minar in June and received written approval from Dhaka University authorities.

Rakib, however, said the NCP later announced its own nationwide programme titled ‘March for July’, which was also scheduled to conclude at Shaheed Minar on August 3.

Following several discussions and requests from NCP leaders, he said they agreed to move their programme.

Rakib claimed that their decision reflects JCD’s commitment to peaceful politics, democratic values and respect for differing opinions. “We believe in co-existence and setting an example of tolerance, even when we are in the right,” he said.

Rakib also expressed frustration that despite JCD’s active role in the July-August movement and continued presence on campuses, the organisation’s efforts are often overlooked or undermined.

“We have always chosen peace over provocation. This venue change is just another example of that,” he said.

The JCD President hoped that its gesture will be recognised as a sign of political maturity and a call for respectful student politics across campuses in the country.