Leaders of the Dhaka University (DU) unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have expressed deep concern over slogans directed at their organization by leftist groups and what they allege are destabilizing activities on campus. They claimed that these slogans reflect a latent and vile murderous intent against Shibir members from within the leftist factions.
In a joint statement issued today (Thursday), DU Shibir president SM Farhad and secretary Mahiuddin Khan condemned the slogans chanted during a torch procession organized by leftist groups on Wednesday night, as well as the alleged attempts to destabilize the campus. They stated that the protest echoed the old, degenerate fascist rhetoric historically used against Islami Chhatra Shibir—rhetoric that in the past, under the despotic rule of Hasina, had been used to dehumanize Shibir members and justify their killings. During the protest on Wednesday night, slogans like “There will be bamboo stick marches, Shibir your death is near” were reportedly heard—slogans they called “terrorist” and indicative of deep-seated malice aimed at killing Shibir members.
Referring to students’ response to these slogans, they said that attempts to revive such politics of violence and murder in the campuses of a new Bangladesh are being vehemently rejected by students. On Tuesday night, when leftist groups marched with torches through DU’s dormitory areas, general students reportedly booed and rejected them by shouting “fake, fake.” The same happened on Wednesday night when similar chants were heard. The general students’ protest against terrorism and any legitimate resistance is now being discredited by labeling them as “Shibir,” which the organization described as a fascist trend and deeply concerning.
The Shibir leaders further noted with concern that these leftist protests are inciting various forms of provocation to destabilize the peaceful and democratic campus environment. They added that it was unfortunate to see a few leaders and activists from the Dhaka University unit of the BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal—once a long-standing partner in the anti-fascist struggle—participating in the leftist protest and making inflammatory remarks. According to them, the current protests by leftist groups are a deliberate effort to undermine the environment of peace, democracy, and coexistence on campus.
Raising the issue of obstructing the upcoming DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students’ Union) elections, the statement claimed that due to their lack of acceptance and support among students, these groups have always shown reluctance—both directly and indirectly—towards holding DUCSU elections. They identified the current unrest as part of a conspiracy to derail the upcoming DUCSU elections, which are a long-standing demand of the student body. Students are strongly rejecting such efforts to disrupt university administration’s progress towards the elections by creating an unstable atmosphere on campus.