Old fascism returning in a new form, says DUCSU VP Sadik Kayem

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Abu Sadik Kayem has said that old fascism is returning in a new form, expressing disappointment over what he described as a resurgence of the old political culture in Bangladesh after the July Revolution.

“We had expected that the old political culture would not return to Bangladesh after the July Revolution. But now we are seeing that same old culture again,” he said. He made the remarks at a freshers’ reception and career guidance programme organised by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka College on Monday (October 12).

“We had hoped that the politics of the pre-July Revolution era would not return. But it pains us to see that old fascism is emerging again in a new form. Fascism does not belong to any particular political party. Whoever becomes fascist must be opposed. This is the lesson we have learned from the July Revolution,” Sadik Kayem said.

Speaking about changes in student politics, the DUCSU vice-president said student politics in post-July Bangladesh should focus on students’ welfare, merit, competence and student unions.

“Five student union elections, including the DUCSU election, have been held with this goal in mind,” he said. Opposing campus domination and the culture of mass rooms and guest rooms, Kayem said such practices must not be allowed to return.

“These practices must not be allowed to return. Students must remain united against injustice,” he said. Criticising the country's political leadership, Kayem said that although Bangladesh is 55 years old, many leaders who held power over the past several decades have faced allegations of harming the state and society.

He also accused political leaders of involvement in extortion, tender manipulation, robbery, terrorism and siphoning off thousands of crores of taka from the country.

Praising the role of Dhaka College students, Kayem said the history of the institution was closely linked to the history of Bangladesh.

“During the July Revolution, the Science Lab area near the college served as one of the major centres of the movement. Students of this college also helped advance the movement by going to various locations, including Dhaka University, Raju Sculpture, the Shaheed Minar and Shahbagh,” he said.

He said the freedom-seeking students and people of Bangladesh would remain grateful to Dhaka College students.

“The students of today will lead Bangladesh in the future. That is why their merit, competence and morality must be developed. Usman Hadi has shown how to stand up for the country's sovereignty, speak out against hegemonic influence and remain committed to justice,” he said.

Kayem urged students to focus on developing their skills and planning for the future alongside their academic studies.

“Success is not determined solely by the subject you study or the institution you attend. What matters is how you use your time and what plans you make for your future,” he said.

He advised students to prepare plans for each academic year, participate in extracurricular activities, improve their communication skills and learn foreign languages. Referring to a job fair organised by DUCSU, Kayem said more than 30 Chinese companies had participated in the event and offered immediate employment to over 400 students. According to him, salaries for those jobs ranged from Tk 60,000 to Tk 300,000.

At the end of his speech, Kayem called for the completion of the unfinished work left by those killed during the July Revolution. He said the public mandate expressed through the referendum was not being implemented. He also voiced concern over what he described as the lack of effective trials of individuals involved in fascist activities, the crisis in the energy sector and the spread of campus and institutional domination in various areas.

“Whoever is involved in domination, we must speak out against them. If students can maintain their stand against injustice, I hope fascism will never return to Bangladesh,” he said.

The programme was chaired by Mostakim Ahmed, president of the Dhaka College unit of Chhatra Shibir, and moderated by its secretary, Saimun Islam Sani. Shibir Central Secretary General Sibgatullah Sibga attended as the chief guest, while former central president of the organisation Zahidul Islam was present as the chief discussant.

Other attendees included Anichur Rahman Anich, the organisation’s central finance secretary, and Abdullah Al Maruf, its former central college affairs secretary, along with other leaders and activists of the Dhaka College unit.