Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will hold a student rally at Shahbagh in the capital on Sunday (August 3) as part of its 36-day programme commemorating the July Uprising.

In a statement issued today, JCD expressed regret for any inconvenience the rally may cause to city residents. The organization had initially planned to hold the event at the Central Shaheed Minar, as announced in June.

However, leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP), who are also holding a programme at Shaheed Minar on the same day, personally contacted JCD leaders and requested a venue change.

JCD said they had previously taken permission from the Proctor's Office of Dhaka University for the Shaheed Minar venue and were the only legitimate claimant to hold a rally there on that date.

Nonetheless, in the spirit of democratic tolerance and coexistence, the student body agreed to shift its programme to Shahbagh.

“We are a liberal, democratic student organization and believe in peaceful coexistence of different views,” the statement read.

JCD urged the public to view the situation with understanding and compassion, and reiterated its regret for any disruption the rally might cause.

MN/