The left leaning Pratirodh Parshad panel competing in the forthcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union elections on Sunday criticised Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel for allegedly denying the contribution of the national minority communities to the War of Independence.
On the day, a writ petition was also filed with the High Court, challenging the eligibility of SM Farhad, a general secretary candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir panel in the DUCSU elections.
The bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Sk. Tahsin Ali is scheduled to hear the petition on September 2.
The petition was filed by BM Fahmida Alam, a candidate from another left-leaning panel ‘Aparajeya Ekattar Ebong Adamya Chabbish’ for the post of secretary for Liberation War and Democratic Movement.
She, referring to an official pad from 2022 belonging to Bangladesh Chhatra League, banned student organisation of Awami League, alleged that Farhad was affiliated with Chhatra League.
Lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua filed the writ petition on behalf of Fahmida Alam, while lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir appeared for Dhaka University.
At a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen on the campus, speakers from ‘Aparajeya Ekattar Ebong Adamya Chabbish’ (Undefeatable 71 and unvanquished 24) alleged that Shibir-led panel Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote’s liberation war and democratic movement secretary candidate Fatima Tasnim Zuma insulted the War of Independence and freedom fighters by denying the contribution of the Chakma community.
She committed the offence while speaking for a private television show organised on the campus on Saturday, they said.
Pratirodh Parshad liberation war and democratic movement secretary candidate Muzammel Haque also made the same allegations against Tasnim.
He said that 20–22 members of the East Pakistan Rifles from the Chakma community fought at Rajarbagh Police Lines after March 25.
The panel’s member candidate Hema Chakma condemned the remarks, saying that the Chakma community took part in all movements since 1971.
The panel’s general secretary candidate Meghmallar Basu and assistant general secretary candidate Jabir Ahmed Jubel also protested at Zuma’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party-backed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal panel on Sunday afternoon alleged that Shibir and its allies violated electoral code of conduct by distributing food, gifts and campaign materials through Focus Coaching Centre.
At a press conference in front of the DUCSU returning officers’ office at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building, vice-president candidate Abidul Islam Khan said that Shibir candidates also distorted history, even labelled Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman as a ‘plane hijacker’.
Earlier, the Shotontro Sikkharthi Oikko panel on Saturday evening also protested against Fatima Tasnim Zuma’s remarks.
At a press conference at Madhur Canteen at around 8:30pm, the panel’s candidate for the same post, Numan Ahmad Chowdhury, termed the remark derogatory and against the spirit of the DUCSU constitution.
The panel’s vice-president candidate Umama Fatema also demanded action from the administration and election commission against any candidate making remarks against the War of Independence.
The forthcoming DUCSU elections will be held on September 9, after a 28-year gap with the last polls were held on March 11, 2019.
