Screenshot Politics Could Further Threaten NCP, BDSM Leaders’ Careers
A brewing controversy at Dhaka University has spotlighted allegations that former Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir members, now banned, covertly infiltrated the proscribed Bangladesh Chhatra League, leading aggressive student harassment campaigns. On Saturday, Abdul Kader, former central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and convener of Bangladesh Democratic Student Council’s DU branch, claimed, “The Shibir boys who secretly joined Chhatra League were the most aggressive. In most cases, they led the charge in torturing students under the ‘Shibir’ tag.” Several former coordinators echoed his statement, and the banned Chhatra League expressed gratitude for their remarks.
On Sunday, Kader shared a Facebook screenshot of a chat allegedly involving Sadiq Kayem, former DU Shibir president, who reportedly lobbied to shield Chhatra League members involved in oppression. Kayem denied the chat was with Kader, asserting it involved National Conference Party (NCP) members and accusing Kader of misrepresenting it. In a Sunday night Facebook post, Kayem warned, “If screenshot politics starts, many in NCP-BDSM could see their political careers vanish!” He condemned the “vile culture” of publicizing private chats, arguing it breeds distrust and harms the nation long-term.
Kayem’s post detailed five points: First, post-revolution priorities were ensuring justice without harassing innocents. He forwarded claims from individuals denying criminal involvement to NCP’s Arman Hossain and Mahin for verification. Second, all groups, including Kader, shared such claims for cross-checking. Third, the screenshot’s named individuals were not Shibir members or active post-August 5. Fourth, he denied lobbying for Hasan Saidi, a known offender. Fifth, he refuted knowing Shahadat, accused in a 2017 Haji Muhammad Muhsin Hall assault, questioning the logic of post-case contact.
Kader’s post elaborated: Shibir members in Chhatra League, eager to prove loyalty, were hyper-aggressive, leading torture in guest rooms. Examples include Mazidur Rahman, a former Shibir member, who brutally attacked Shahriad at Bijoy Ekattor Hall on January 22, 2023; Musaddiq Billah, a former Shibir associate, who became Chhatra League’s DU office secretary; Afzalun Naim, notorious at Jashimuddin Hall; and Elias Hossain, a Chhatra League member turned Shibir leader post-August 5. A 2017 Muhsin Hall assault, led by Shibir-linked Shahadat Hossain, resulted in a case against 13 Chhatra League leaders.
The July 15, 2024, attack saw Saidi, a former Shibir member, assault injured students at Dhaka Medical College. Despite a February 2024 kidnapping arrest, Saidi was released within a week, raising suspicions. Kader claimed Kayem lobbied for Saidi, which Kayem denied, noting students handed Saidi to police.
