DSA Demands Immediate Unconditional Release of Emi

The Democratic Students' Alliance has strongly demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, former Vice President of Shamsunnahar Hall Students’ Union at Dhaka University.

In a press statement signed by General Secretary Rafiqul Zaman Farid on Sunday (9 March), the alliance condemned her arrest under the Anti-Terrorism Act and her subsequent remand to jail by court order.

The statement reads: “Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, a student of Dhaka University and former VP of Shamsunnahar Hall Students’ Union, was detained by Shahbagh Police late on 7 March and shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act on 8 March. The court has sent her to jail. Emi is a well-known face in the fight against Awami fascist rule. She has repeatedly faced physical and mental harassment from Chhatra League. She has actively participated in various democratic movements, including the protection of women’s rights. She also contributed significantly to the July mass uprising. We demand her immediate release.”

The alliance also condemned the brutal assault on another Dhaka University student, Rahid Khan Pavel (2020–21 session, Department of Philosophy), who was allegedly beaten by members of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at BUET campus late on 7 March and handed over to Shahbagh Police Station. “We strongly denounce this attack and demand punishment for those involved,” the statement said.

The alliance further called on the administration to:

• Identify and arrest those responsible for the July mass killings and bring them to justice.
• Administratively identify and punish Chhatra League activists who carried out terrorist attacks on students across various campuses, including Dhaka University.
• Take appropriate legal action against the ‘mob culture’ that repeatedly leads to such criminal acts.

The statement was jointly signed by:

• Dilip Ray (Coordinator, Democratic Students' Alliance & President, Revolutionary Student Alliance)
• Salman Siddiqui (President, Socialist Student Front)
• Tamjid Haider Chanchal (President, Bangladesh Students’ Union)
• Chhayedul Haque Nishan (President, Democratic Student Council)
• Amal Tripura (President, Hill Students’ Council)
• Tawfika Priya (President, Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement)