From silence to surge, Shibir clinches JUCSU majority in first vote in 33 years

GS candidate Arif Ullah Adib says even mentioning Shibir once meant death on campus

Islami Chhatra Shibir has taken 20 of 25 central posts in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU), marking a dramatic return to campus politics in the first student election held there in 33 years.

Shibir-backed panel’s VP candidate Arif Ullah Adib, who did not win his race, “expressed satisfaction” with the results and reflected on what he described as a violent and repressive history for Shibir activists on the campus.

“We have finally reached a point where we can speak in our identity,” he said after the results were declared on Saturday.

“At Jahangirnagar, simply hearing the name ‘Shibir’ once meant being shot like a bird. If someone kills a migratory bird, there’s an investigation. But when someone kills a Shibir activist by beating him to death, no one seeks justice.”

“Despite that, we’ve been able to field a full panel, and 20 of our 25 candidates have been elected. We thank Almighty Allah for this,” he added.

Adib dedicated the victory to those killed in the 2024 July Uprising and thanked both the organisers and the voters for making the election possible.

He also congratulated the five winners outside his panel and called on all elected representatives to serve the student body with accountability.

He then remembered the Shibir members from earlier generations who were expelled or denied education because of their affiliation.

Though he lost his own contest, Adib pledged to assist the elected panel.

“I said that if I win, I will stand by the students. I now say that even though I didn’t, I will still support any initiative that serves this campus.”

He also said the university should be a place where everyone can practise their religion and culture freely.

“The elected JUCSU representatives must ensure that elections are held every year.”

Speaking after his win, General Secretary-elect Mazharul Islam, also from the Shibir panel, said: “We will only say we’ve truly won when we prove ourselves worthy of the trust students have placed in us.”

He recalled the backlash the group faced after openly resuming activities on campus in October last year.

“There were all kinds of rumours and character assassinations. But we’ve shown how a student organisation can work within the system to demand rights. We’ve tried to stay close to the students.”

“Today, the students have given us 20 of 25 seats. We will carry that responsibility properly for the next year,” he added.

Mazharul also pointed out the gender composition of the panel: 19 men and six women, all of whom contested central posts.

“Our sisters gave us their full support, and we are grateful. All six of our female candidates have won.”

Although the panel did not contest for all posts in the hall, many of their supporters were elected, he added.