SM Farhad, President of the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, stated, "Shibir has no reason opposing the events of 1971, whereas this organization was founded in 1977."
On Monday, February 17, he made this statement to the Daily Observer while officially inquiring about walk out of Democratic Students' Alliance from a meeting at Dhaka University.
He said, "Can you show any activity of Shibir that aligns with Jamaat? If that were the case, we wouldn’t have organized processions on Independence Day and Victory Day. We have always opposed fascism. Instead, the mushroom organizations acted as allies of the Awami League from 2008 to 2024, helping them become fascist."
He added, "Shibir played a role in the anti-Ershad movement of the 1990s. If you search online, you will find pictures of Shibir’s processions."
Rafiquzzaman Farid, General Secretary of the Socialist Students' Front (SSF-Marxist), stated that Islami Chhatra Shibir will not be accepted until it addresses the questions regarding its controversial role in the Liberation War and the 90s uprising.
He said, "As long as they cannot provide satisfactory answers to the questions raised about their role in the country's people's struggle for rights, they will not be accepted."
Salman Siddiki, president of the Socialist Students' Front (Marxist) informed that previously, on Sunday the Dhaka University administration called a meeting to discuss about organizing upcoming event of Language Martyr's Day with active political student organizations. The leaders of the central and university units were present at the meeting. After the meeting began, several student organizations stated that the meeting could not continue in the presence of Chhatra Shibir. In this situation, the university administration declared the meeting's conclusion.
Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Democratic Students' Council, stated that SM Farhad, President of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka University unit, made a controversial remark.
He claimed that Farhad had said steps would be taken to identify and act against the "Shahbaghis." According to him, this statement led other student organizations to walk out of the meeting.
He further argued that as Chhatra Shibir is known for its politics of terror, its presence in such discussions prevents other organizations from engaging in proper democratic dialogue.
Additionally, he accused Chhatra Shibir of supporting the 1971 genocide and playing a controversial role in the uprisings of the 1990 and 2024. He also alleged that Shibir engages in covert politics within Chhatra League, which he sees as harmful to the country's democracy.
In his view, Dhaka University cannot ignore history and invite supporters of genocide to participate in its meetings.
In a written statement yesterday, he reiterated the same stance. The statement was also signed by Dilip Roy, Coordinator of the Revolutionary Student Maitri and Democratic Student Alliance; Sayedul Haque Nishan, President of the Democratic Student Council; Ragib Naim, President of the Bangladesh Student Union; Ankan Chakma, President of the Greater Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Student Council; and Tawfika Priya, Acting President of the Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement.
However, both SM Farhad, President, and Mohiuddin Khan, Secretary Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir declined their claims.
SM Farhad argued that accusations against Islami Chhatra Shibir regarding its stance on 1971 were baseless.
He claimed that the student organizations labeling Shibir as anti-Liberation were the same ones that had supported the establishment of BAKSAL in 1975.
According to him, "They have carried out terrorist activities on campus at various times. The allegations they make against Shibir are entirely fabricated. If investigated, it will be found that their ancestors were actually pro-Pakistan."
He also pointed out the difference in political narratives surrounding regional influence. "People say ‘Delhi or Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka’ instead of ‘Islamabad or Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka’ because there is a contemporary context behind it," he explained.
He criticized Sheikh Hasina for taking refuge in Delhi and accused India of attempting to interfere in Bangladesh’s politics and economy. In contrast, he argued, "Pakistan is not coming here to seize business and trade."
Last year, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's 148th birth anniversary was observed at the National Press Club. When asked about this, SM Farhad stated that he was unaware of the event.
Mohiuddin Khan said, "In the current context, 'Shahbaghi' is a vague description. We cannot define it in any clear terms. After the July movement, we aimed to create an atmosphere of inclusive politics. However, because of organizations like these, that goal is not being achieved."
MB
