The Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jahangirnagar University branch, has called for an environment that ensures healthy political practices with participation from all parties on the Jahangirnagar University campus.
In a joint statement on Tuesday (October 29), Harunur Rashid Rafi, president, and Mohibur Rahman Muhib, secretary of the Jahangirnagar University branch of Chhatra Shibir, made this demand.
In their joint statement, the leaders said that Chhatra Shibir is always ready to promote healthy politics within a democratic culture on the university campus, drawing from the spirit of the August 5 student uprising. Chhatra Shibir is committed to preventing any form of occupancy, extortion, or spread of drugs in residential halls. They added that Chhatra Shibir will continue working to bring about a conducive educational environment on campus, implement a research-oriented education system, foster healthy cultural practices, and ensure a safe environment for women. They desire the return of a healthy political environment centered around student unions.
The leaders further stated that for a long time, certain individuals and groups have attempted to construct a narrative to ban Chhatra Shibir, having failed to challenge it ideologically. However, there is no truth to this narrative. Although a proposal to ban Chhatra Shibir came up at the 142nd syndicate meeting on August 15, 1989, no such decision was taken. Instead, the meeting concluded that since the matter is outside the university’s jurisdiction, no action could be taken. No false propaganda can declare Chhatra Shibir banned, and labeling or banning it has only served to support fascist motives.
They added that over the past 15 years, due to the misrule of the Awami League, the definition of politics has been distorted. They advocate for politics that defends students’ rights. They call for political reform as part of ongoing state reforms, inspired by the aspirations of the martyrs of ’24. They urge everyone to support this necessary reform in student politics.
