Chhatra Dal panel warns online smear campaign will disrupt DUCSU polls’ democratic environment

The panel demands punitive action against Facebook groups engaged in “harassment”

The BNP-aligned Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has alleged that a “toxic stream of hate” is being spread on social media surrounding the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, warning that such propaganda will disrupt the democratic atmosphere of the polls.

The accusation came after a meeting between Chhatra Dal–supported panel’s assistant general secretary (AGS) candidate Thanbir Al Hadi Moyed and the Election Commission on Saturday afternoon in the Senate Building of Dhaka University.

Thanbir said those who failed to win support through campus politics are now resorting to online platforms to defame numerous organisations and individuals.

“This will hamper the democratic electoral atmosphere on the Dhaka University campus.”

He noted that they had lodged several complaints with the university administration and visited the commission on Saturday to learn about its progress in handling them.

Thanbir said: “The university administration told us they are working on the issue. But the groups using the university’s name anonymously, whose moderators and admins are students themselves, are showing a lack of respect to teachers.”

He added, “Our goal is not only to uphold democratic rights for Dhaka University students but also to ensure that in the future they can fully exercise their voting rights.

Earlier, Chhatra Dal submitted a petition to the chief returning officer demanding that Facebook groups engaged in “online harassment, intimidation, and propaganda” be banned and that those responsible for them face exemplary punishment.