“Police should enquire whether my son is involved in Chhatra Shibir politics before making such claims”

GBNews24 Desk//

“I don’t know whether my son is involved in Chhatra Shibir politics. I can’t even say this for sure. Maybe he is involved in Chhatra Shibir politics. If not, on what basis are the police making the claim? Let it be investigated whether he was involved in the Chhatra Shibir politics in the last 10 years.”

Monir Hossain, father of Mahdi Hossain who was arrested for removing and fastening the nuts and bolts from the railing of the Padma Bridge, said this to The Daily Star today.

He said Mahdi has been studying at Kazi Nazrul Islam College in Dhaka for the last 10 years.

“Police can investigate whether he (Mahdi) attended any meetings, rallies or other political programmes of Chhatra Shibir during that time,” he said, adding that his son might have done this without any understanding.

“He did not think that the incident will become such a huge issue. His academic life is yet to be over. If he could realise this, he would not have done this,” he said.

In response to a question, he said that one of his ustads (guru) might have been involved in Chhatra Shibir politics during his childhood.

“My son might have fill up their form without any understanding. He could not realise the consequences… I cannot say for sure. If not, on what basis are the police making the claim?”

Regarding the press conference of police held in Dhaka today, Monir said, “My son is a third-year student of Botany department. His practical exam is nearing. I asked him to skip studies and go abroad during the Covid-19 outbreak due to which he has two years gap in his studies. Then I backed away from that decision. My son is a student at present. I got hurt as police did not mention it during their press briefing.”

Md Sayed Kabiraj, UP member of Ward No-8 of Dhipur union, said Mahdi’s family started living here permanently for the last four years, after coming from another area.

“I don’t know his son very well. I don’t know what he does.His father is a marriage registrar. I don’t know whether they are involved in any politics,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mahdi Hossain was produced before a Munshiganj court and the court sent him to jail.

A video of Mahdi Hossain removing and fastening nuts and bolts of the railing of Padma Bridge has been making rounds on social media. In a 26-second video, he was seen removing and fastening the nuts and bolts of a railing on Padma Bridge, which was inaugurated on June 25.