JnUCSU leaders slate Shibir for ‘hijacking’ student union

Since Jan 6 election, Shibir has effectively ceased operating under its own name, some JnUCSU leader say

Four elected leaders of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) have accused Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) of exploiting the student body as a tool to further its political agenda.

They have also accused ICS, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, of hijacking the platform to implement its own organisational programmes rather than serving the general student body.

The allegations were raised at a press conference on Friday afternoon at the university’s Rafiq Bhaban by representatives of the “Oikkoboddho Nirbhik Jobian” panel, which is backed by Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

The accusers include Literature and Culture Secretary Takrim Ahmed, Transport Secretary Mahid Hossain, Library and Seminar Secretary Riyasal Rakib, and Executive Member Sadman Amin.

Riyasal Rakib told reporters that since the union's first election in two decades on Jan 6, ICS has effectively ceased operating under its own name, instead rebranding its party activities as official JnUCSU events.

"Before the election, Shibir did politics under its own banner. Now, they use JnUCSU for everything," Rakib said.

He specifically pointed to a protest march on Thursday night where the union's general secretary (GS) --who also serves as the university Shibir president -- allegedly threatened another student group.

"How can a JnUCSU leader make such a threat? That should have been his statement as Shibir president, not as a representative of all students," Rakib added.

The student leaders alleged a systematic effort to sideline any dissent within the union.

Takrim claimed that the Shibir-led majority, which won a landslide victory under the “Odommo Jobian Oikkho” banner, ignores the opinions of the five members elected from outside their panel.

"They come with pre-determined party decisions and impose them on the union. I don’t even think the vice-chancellor, who is the ex-officio president of JnUCSU, is kept informed of these decisions," Takrim alleged.

He further complained of a "digital blackout" on the union's official social media channels.

Takrim claimed that while his own departmental achievements and major events like the New Year celebrations are ignored by the page admins, every move made by Shibir-backed leaders is promoted.

"The access to the page is restricted to the VP, GS, and AGS. They told us no one else would have it," he said.

The leaders also issued a written statement claiming that the ICS-led leadership has failed to implement a single point from their election manifesto.

"They are more active in implementing party agendas on social media than fulfilling the promises made to the students," the statement read.

Efforts to reach JnUCSU GS and ICS President Abdul Alim Arif for a response were unsuccessful as he did not answer multiple phone calls.