DU Shibir president clarifies role in July uprising, calls for inclusive Bangladesh

Clarifying their role in the student movement for quota reform and subsequent mass upsurge, Shadik Kayem, who has recently emerged as the president of the Dhaka University (DU) unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, has expressed the desire for a prosperous, inclusive and discrimination-free Bangladesh.

While talking to the Daily Sun, he described the movement as the movement of the masses and the fall of fascist Sheikh Hasina as the success of the people from all strata of life irrespective of their profession, age and religion.

Shadik Kayem emerged as the president of the DU Shibir after attending a meeting with the DU administration on 21 September. Later, it was discovered that he played a vital role in the uprising, being one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

“We who are alive in independent Bangladesh achieved through the sacrifices of many have a long way to go. To fulfil the dreams of our martyrs, we should build a happy and

prosperous Bangladesh unitedly. If we don’t succeed in our endeavours, 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 free of discrimination,” he said when asked about their aim.

About their underground politics during the Awami League regime, the Shibir leader said, “Our mainstream organisation worked openly. However, the situation at DU was quite different. The situation made us do our activities secretly. There have been many reports of torturing students for allegedly being involved with Shibir. Then just imagine what would have happened if Bangladesh Chhatra League had found a Shibir activist with documents.”

The university administration and police always searched for them, he said, adding: “If we had been caught, the AL government wouldn’t have set us free before destroying our lives.”

Asked when they will unveil the full committee of the DU unit, Shadik said they are working on it and will reveal it soon.

Meanwhile, after the emergence of the DU unit Shibir president, its general secretary -- SM Farhad -- also came to the fore on Sunday.

A student of the Institute of Social Welfare Research of the 2017-18 session, Farhad served as the president of the Kabi Jashim Uddin Hall Debating Club for the 2022-23 session. As an efficient debater, he was awarded by the then Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni.

Farhad’s alleged involvement with BCL

Meanwhile, Farhad’s name was found on the committee of the Institute of Social Welfare Research unit of BCL announced in November 2022 where he was given the post of joint general secretary.

About the matter, Farhad said he does not know how his name appeared on the list, clarifying that never applied for that post. “Some people are circulating the notification on social media with a bad intention to defame me. I had never been involved in any kind of BCL activities.”