Progressive Student Groups Refuse to Attend Meetings with Shibir Presence

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Bangladesh held a dialogue session with the leaders of all active student organizations at Chittagong University (CU). The event was attended by representatives from 10 student groups, but notably, no representatives from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) student wing, Chhatra Dal, or the Student Union were present.

The meeting was organized to mark the “National Student Solidarity Week” and took place in the Faculty of Social Sciences conference hall at CU.

Abdullah Al Noman, General Secretary of CU’s Chhatra Dal, did not provide any comment regarding his absence. On the other hand, Sudipto Chakma, President of the CU Student Union, explained that their absence was due to a central directive from their organization. “Our central leadership decided that we will not attend any event where Chhatra Shibir (Islamist student organization) is involved,” he stated.

Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Khan Talat Mahmood Rafi, expressed disappointment at the absence of large student groups and emphasized the importance of dialogue. “Some people are claiming that we are denying the contributions of student organizations in the July movement. But we have never denied anyone’s contributions. However, it is disheartening to see that large and active student groups are not present today. You may have grievances, but these issues need to be resolved through discussion. If you don’t show up, there won’t be any opportunity for resolution,” Rafi said.

Zobairul Hasan Arif, a central member of the Citizen’s Committee, shared the committee’s concerns regarding two key issues. “The first is the trial for the July killings. We see that justice for the July incident is not being carried out properly. We are also not in favor of mob justice. We want a fair trial based on the law, so no one can claim that the killers were judged in a kangaroo court,” Arif stated. “The second issue is constitutional reform. Our constitution has a power structure that forces people to become autocrats. We are calling for reforms to ensure that no one can rise to power and become a new version of Sheikh Hasina.”

CU branch Secretary of Chhatra Shibir, Muhammad Ibrahim, commented on the current state of student activism. “It has been over 100 days since August 5, yet students are still on the streets. New problems keep arising, and the responsibility to prevent any counter-revolution has fallen on the students. However, we should have been holding discussions, seminars, and symposiums to show how the reform process should unfold,” Ibrahim said.

The meeting highlighted ongoing political tensions and the continued activism of student groups amid demands for both justice and constitutional reforms.