DUCSU election: Protest erupts amid ‘gang rape’ threat against petitioner student

A Dhaka University student has been accused of threatening “gang rape” on Facebook against a female student who filed a writ petition challenging the candidacy of SM Farhad, general secretary (GS) candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Shibir panel in the DUCSU election. The threat has sparked protests among students and leaders of various student organisations.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has called for protests today (Tuesday) at educational institutions across the country. Meanwhile, Shibir itself has submitted a written complaint to the university proctor demanding punishment for the student.

The threat came after the High Court ordered the DUCSU election postponed on Monday in response to the writ petition. Shortly after, a student named Ali Hossain from the Sociology Department (2020–21 session), a resident of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, wrote on Facebook: “Instead of protesting against the High Court, one should first march for her gang rape.” He later issued a video apology, claiming he was not linked to any political party. However, his earlier Facebook posts show him participating in Shibir events, where he identified himself as a Shibir supporter in comments.

The petitioner, meanwhile, is a candidate from the Aparajeyo 71-Adommo 24 panel, backed by three leftist student organisations, contesting for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary. At a press conference at Madhur Canteen on Monday, she said that SM Farhad had been actively involved with the banned student wing Chhatra League, and there was no evidence of his resignation.

Ashrefa Khatun, Assistant General Secretary candidate from the Democratic Student Union panel, condemned the Facebook threat, writing: “We are working to build a tolerant campus, yet a female student is threatened with gang rape for political reasons. He must be brought under the law immediately.”

Abdul Kader, VP candidate from the same panel, added: “Such heinous threats of gang rape cannot be allowed at Dhaka University.”

In a statement, Chhatra Dal said it would stage nationwide protests today against the “public gang rape threat and cyberbullying” issued by a Shibir leader against the petitioner who challenged Farhad’s candidacy. Their president Rakibul Islam and general secretary Nasir Uddin urged all units to join the programme.

University Teachers’ Network demands exemplary punishment in gang-rape threat case. On Tuesday at around 11:30 am, members of the University Teachers’ Network made the demand at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen. The platform has submitted 13 demands to the Dhaka University administration regarding the DUCSU elections.

At the press conference, teachers Tahmina Akter and Mosahida Sultana read out a written statement. The statement said: “It has been reported that in connection with a writ petition filed in the High Court, a female candidate was threatened with gang rape via a Facebook post by a student from the Sociology Department. The threat-maker, Ali Hossain, must be punished through proper legal procedures in an exemplary manner to prevent such incidents from recurring.”