JCD forms DU committees including ex-BCL men; investigation committee formed

Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the BNP, has announced convening committees in 18 residential halls with a total of 593 members. However, an analysis of the committee list reveals that it includes several former leaders and activists of the now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), as well as some individuals accused in last year’s July 15 attack. In response, the organization has formed a three-member investigation committee.

Following the announcement, students of Rokeya Hall brought out a protest procession against the hall committee. On July 17 last year, students had ousted BCL leaders and activists from the hall and secured a written undertaking from the university administration to keep the hall free from politics.

The committees were announced on Friday in a press release signed by DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon. In the Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall committee, Senior Joint Convener Rakibul Hasan Sourav was previously the BCL’s Vice-President for the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Rokeya Hall’s Joint Convener Nitu Rani Saha was formerly the hall BCL’s Deputy Public Relations Secretary and resigned on July 17 last year. In Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Joint Conveners include Rakibul Islam Rakib from the Department of Criminology and Nibir Khan Lohani from the Department of Philosophy — both accused of involvement in “guest room” torture. In Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Joint Convener Mahmud Hasan was boycotted by students in July over alleged links to the “Proloy Gang.” Ahmed Jabir Maham, accused of attacking students during the quota reform movement, has been made an executive member of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall. In Kuwait Maitree Hall, Member-Secretary Jannatul Ferdous Putul was reportedly seen participating in programs led by BCL Secretary Tanvir Hasan Soikot’s faction.

In addition, Azizul Hakim — a member of the Awami League’s election coordination committee in Natore — has been appointed Joint Convener of Zia Hall. Shibli Rahman Pavel, a member of Jhenaidah constituency’s coordination committee, has been named Joint Convener of Mohsin Hall. Several others — including Mohibul Islam Akand, Moaj Shahriar Apu, and Zohurul Haque (Joint Convener of JCD at Mohsin Hall), Rakib Hasan (Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall), Zakia Sultana Alo (Sufia Kamal Hall), Mosaddeq Ali Shanto (Shahidullah Hall), and Muntaha Mith (AF Rahman Hall) — have all participated in BCL programs at various times.

Once these details emerged after the committee announcement, the DU JCD formed a three-member investigation team comprising Senior Vice-President Masum Billah, Senior Joint General Secretary Nasir Uddin Shawon, and Organizing Secretary Nur Alam Bhuiyan Imon. They have been instructed to submit a report within three working days.

Commenting on the issue, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon said that appointments were made from among those who applied to join. “Some may have concealed their previous political affiliations when applying, which we were unaware of. That’s why the investigation committee has been formed, and further steps will be taken based on its findings,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Students’ Council — which has long demanded a ban on politics in residential halls and academic areas — held a press conference at Madhu’s Canteen protesting the JCD’s announcement. Its convener, Abdul Kader, alleged that although all student organizations had pledged after last year’s uprising not to engage in hall politics in line with students’ wishes, Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing Shibir had later formed committees secretly, the Chhatra Union had formed committees in halls, and now the JCD had openly done so, going against students’ expectations. He condemned the development.