Stage collapses while Quader addressing BCL rally

DU Correspondent :
The stage of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), erected in front of Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture on Dhaka University campus, caved all of a sudden when Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was delivering his speech.
The incident took place at 4:10 pm on Friday when Quader began his speech to inaugurate a rally marking the 75th founding anniversary of the BCL.
Apart from Quader, present and former leaders of the BCL were on the stage during the collapse. At least six of them sustained injuries.
The formalities of the rally began with the hoisting of the national and party flags and the national and party anthems in
front of Aparajeyo Bangla. After the speech of BCL president Saddam Hossain, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader came to the dais and started delivering his speech as the chief guest.
All of a sudden, the stage, crowded with BCL leaders and activists, collapsed.
Witnesses said Obaidul Quader also fell down with others, but did not suffer any major injuries. Among the injured are Jubo Mohila League general secretary Sharmin Sultana Lily and BCL former general secretary Golam Rabbani.
However, Obaidul Quader stood up again and announced the opening of the rally at 4:17 pm.
“The stage collapsed because many leaders took a position on it. We do not need a factory that produces leaders; rather, we need a factory that produces activists,” Quader said as he resumed his speech to inaugurate BCL’s anniversary celebration programme.
Quader, who is also the Road, Transport, and Bridges Minister, stressed that the BCL should learn from their old mistakes and start afresh.
Following the BCL’s 30th national council on December 6, the party announced a new president and general secretary on December 20.
“As only the top two posts are announced, BCL should quickly form the rest of the committee as BCL activists would play an instrumental role in achieving victory in the 2024 national polls,” Quader said.
BCL central committee president Saddam Hossain vowed to work towards building a smart campus.
“In the future, industries will become machine-dependent, and we will work towards an education that complements the needs of the time,” he said.
BCL general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan vowed to fend off any violent attempt by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.