News Analysis: DU Shibir leadership comes to light, sending shockwaves
UNB
Publish: 23 Sep 2024, 10:59 PM
Dhaka
University (Sep 23)- In a dramatic reveal, the top two leaders of Islamic
Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat e Islami's Dhaka University unit
came to light for the first time.
The president of the DU
Chhatra Shibir is Md Abu Shadik, a student of the political science department
of the Dhaka University of 2016-17 academic session. He has a mentorious
background in DU academic life.
But he came into
prominence as one of the faces of the July-August movement, part of the leading
group just outside the six central coordinators.
S M Farhad has been
revealed as the general secretary of DU Shibir. He recently completed his
graduation from the Institute of Social welfare research. He is a student of
2017-18 academic session of the university.
Mentioned, both leaders
are from Chittagong Hill Tracts and studied at the same institution.
Abu Shadik hailed from
Khagrachori and he completed his secondary school certificate (Dakhil) from
Khagrachori Baitush Sharaf Madrasha, then he completed his higher secondary
certification (Alim) from Chittagong Baitush Sharaf Jabbarja Adarsha Kamil
Madrasha, and then he got admitted in Dhaka University and was a resident of
Master Da Surja Sen hall.
This Abu Shadik played a
significant role during the quota reform movement and anti-discrimination
student movement. Even he played a significant role in the formation and
circulation of nine points during the internet blackout. He also managed to
coordinate efforts to provide safe shelter to some of the coordinators who were
still outside during the infamous Detective Branch episode, according to
UK-based investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer.
Accordingly, SM Farhad
hails from Rangamati. He completed his Dakhil certification from Maini Bajtush
Sharaf Madrasha, then he completed his Alim certification from Chittagong
Baitush Sharaf Jabbarja, Adarsha Kamil Madrasha, and later took admission in Dhaka
University.
According to Abdul
Kader, another coordinator who was the main author of the 'Nine Points', SM Farhad
played important role during the movement bearing life risk. He clarified this
through a Facebook post. This Farhad was an efficient debater of both in his
Hall-Kabi Jashimuddin Hall-and in Dhaka University Debating society. He was
also president of hall debating club. For his efficiency in debate, he was
awarded by the then foreign minister Abdul Momen.
Both the Shibir leaders
used to live in their halls, yet never raised suspicions, adding to the air of
mystery gripping the nation. It played into sterotypes in the popular
imagination of Shibir's preference for stealth, and remarkable efficiency at it
too. As if to rub it in, the DU ICS president belongs to DU BCL president
Mazharul Kabir's hall and the DU ICS general secretary belongs to DU BCL GS
Tanbir Hasan Saikat's hall.
Asked about political
situation and the exposure of ICS leaders of Dhaka University, Tamzid Hossein,
said,
"I See it as a
positive change. In fact, they were among the most oppressed during the fascism
period. Their democratic rights were taken away. In Bangladesh 2.0 we dream of
a Bangladesh where everyone has the right to express their opinion, everyone
has the opportunity to express their political position."
Asked about political
practice in the campus, he said, "it is definitely desirable that there
will be student politics in the campus. Because one of the reasons why Awami
fascism is prolonged is lack of politics. In that case, the political parties have
to come up with a new political policy in Bangladesh. The political parties
should also take measures to remove the disrespect for politics that was
created due to the terror politics of the Chhatra League."
It may be mentioned,
Islami Chhatra Shibir was banned on the Dhaka University campus by Poribesh
Songshod. Although that wasn't enforcable, their presence had progressively
dwindled in DU campus politics over the course of AL's 15- year regime.
"We who are alive
in Shaheed-Gazi's independent Bangladesh have a long way to go. To fulfill the
dream of our martyrs, we should build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh
unitedly. If we do not succeed, the blood of all the martyrs of '47, '71 and
'24 will be wasted. The sight of our sightless brothers will go in vain, if we
fail to build an independent and sovereign Bangladesh without
discrimination," Abu Shadik wrote on his Facebook timeline marking the
success of the movement as a result of public participation.
End/UNB/AHT/ssk