Shibir-backed RUCSU leader sparks outrage with 'Jahannam's Imam' remark on Jahanara Imam

Zayed Hasan, Cultural Affairs Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), has sparked controversy with a derogatory social media post on the death anniversary of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam.

On Saturday, June 27, Zayed Hasan, who was elected from the Shibir-backed panel in the RUCSU election, shared a post on his Facebook account referring to the anniversary as the "death day of the Imam of Jahannam" . The post's caption read, "Today is the death day of the Imam of Jahannam. She implemented a foreign design to fulfil political revenge."

Following widespread criticism, Zayed Hasan posted another message explaining his position: "I did not make a bad comment about any martyr's mother. I called Jahanara Imam, the originator of mob culture in Bangladesh, the Imam of Jahannam. The identity of a martyr's mother cannot erase a person's identity as a killer. Loud and clear."

The post has drawn strong condemnation across university-related Facebook groups and personal accounts. Many have called it obscene and demanded Zayed Hasan's removal from his RUCSU post.

Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi condemned the remarks, stating that Jahanara Imam was targeted for her stance against war criminals. Former students have also called for swift action from the RUCSU president.

Jahanara Imam was the convener of the 1991 Gono Adalat (People's Court) movement demanding trial of war criminals. She lost her eldest son Shafi Imam Rumi in the Liberation War. Her memoir 'Ekattorer Dingul' is considered a significant document of Bangladesh's Liberation War. She is widely known and respected as 'Shaheed Janani' (Martyr's Mother).