Summary:
- Chhatra Dal leaders demand transparency from Islami Chhatra Shibir over alleged daily expenditures of 300,000 BDT for mass iftar programs, questioning its funding sources.
- The group denies involvement in recent clashes at North South University involving Democratic Students’ Council leader Sargis Alam and private university students.
- Chhatra Dal accuses Alam of collaborating with banned Chhatra League members and condemns attempts to rehabilitate individuals linked to past political violence.
- Tensions stem from public-private university rivalries, with social media accusations and demands for accountability deepening divisions in student politics.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BCL) leaders have raised questions about the financial sources of Islami Chhatra Shibir, a rival student organization, while denying involvement in recent clashes at North South University. During a press conference Friday afternoon at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin demanded transparency over Shibir’s alleged daily expenditure of 300,000 taka ($2,700) on mass iftar programs. “A regular student organization cannot spend 9 million taka monthly without questionable funding sources,” he stated, calling for public accountability.
The event coincided with tensions at North South University, where private university students reportedly clashed with Sargis Alam, a leader of the newly formed Democratic Students’ Council. Chhatra Dal President Rakib clarified that their members were absent during the incident but accused Alam of collaborating with banned Chhatra League figures. “We condemn attempts to rehabilitate individuals linked to July-August’s violence,” he said, referencing past political unrest.
According to Chhatra Dal’s written statement, the conflict erupted Wednesday night when Alam and supporters confronted students at the university’s Gate 8. Private university attendees chanted slogans against Dhaka University’s syndicate system, escalating into verbal exchanges. The statement linked the friction to longstanding rivalries between public and private student factions within the Democratic Students’ Council.
Alam later alleged Chhatra Dal’s involvement on social media, describing protesters as “hooligans”—a claim the group called “baseless and insulting” to private university students. Rakib emphasized ongoing internal reviews, stating, “If any Chhatra Dal member is implicated, we will sincerely apologize,” while condemning efforts to politicize the incident.
The dispute underscores deepening divisions in Bangladesh’s student politics, with Shibir’s financial practices and inter-group rivalries drawing scrutiny. Authorities have yet to comment on the allegations.
