DUCSU polls: Protests erupt over rape threat to student challenging Shibir leader's candidacy

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM

DUCSU polls: Protests erupt over rape threat to student challenging Shibir leader's candidacy

Bangla Press Desk: Protests erupted on Monday against a Dhaka University student's call for gang raping a leftist female candidate of DUCSU polls. Ali Hossain, a student from the university's sociology department, issued the threat against BM Fahmida Alam for filing a writ petition challenging the candidacy of Chhatra Shibir leader SM Farhad in the 9 September elections. The writ prompted the High Court (HC) to issue a stay order on holding the elections, leading to major protests against the order on DU campus on Monday. Chhatra Dal, Gono Odhikar Parishad and other student bodies strongly rejected the push to delay polls. The Supreme Court's chamber court later halted the stay order, allowing election preparations to continue. After the HC stay order, Ali Hossain made a facebook post urging student leaders to hold a march demanding the gang rape of Fahmida for causing the HC move.

Different student organisations, including Chhatra Shibir, have demanded punishment for Ali Hossain's misogynistic post. Ali Hossain's Facebook account was later found deactivated. Different student leaders and sociology teachers have vented anger at him for pursuing "the criminal route" instead of seeking legal and valid recourses. Rumours have circulated that he is an activist of Chhatra Shibir. SM Farhad, president of Shibir's DU unit and a candidate for the general secretary post at DUCSU, has rejected the claims as part of concerted efforts to disrepute the organisation. On Monday, SM Farhad told reporters that any general student joining Shibir's programmes does not automatically become its member. Shibir has itself demanded to the proctor to take punitive actions against Ali Hossain, Farhad said.

Fahmida is a candidate for the post of "Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary." She would take part in the elections under the pro-leftist "Oporajeyo 71-Odommo24" panel. On Monday noon, she convened a press briefing at the Madhur Canteen on DU campus to explain the rationale behind her writ petition. Fahmida alleged that Farhad stands against the spirit of DUCSU for several reasons. Shed claimed that Farhad is against the Liberation War of 1971, and, with no visible record on submitting a resignation letter, continues to be a member of Chhatra League, a group banned for its terrorist activities. He claims have been strongly contested by different factions at DU. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.

[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

DUCSU polls: Protests erupt over rape threat to student challenging Shibir leader's candidacy

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