RAJSHAHI — Dhaka University Central Students’ Union Vice President Sadiq Kayem said Saturday that no allegation of sexual harassment had been made against any Islami Chhatra Shibir leader at any level since the organization was founded, and that women were safest in the group’s care.
Kayem, who also serves as central publications secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir, was speaking at a career guidance and freshers’ welcome event at Rajshahi College at 11 a.m. on Nov. 22.
“No one in Bangladesh can show a single example of a woman being sexually harassed by Islami Chhatra Shibir,” he said. “There is no alternative to Shibir for the safety of women.”
He said no organization could provide greater security to women than Shibir, and called for student council elections at Rajshahi College and on every campus across the country to be held as soon as possible. He said the Rajshahi College student council would draw on the experience of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union.
Describing Rajshahi College as a green and clean campus, Kayem said the student council was the key to solving every problem on campus. “Elected student representatives will lead this campus,” he said. “Your problems and crises will all come up through student leaders, and these problems can only be solved through student leadership.” He said the student council would play an important role in resolving issues ranging from housing to other campus concerns.
Speaking on the role of young people in the July uprising, Kayem said youth had led the movement and made it successful. “Young people have said fascism will never again take hold in Bangladesh,” he said, adding that they had taken to the streets together against what he called Delhi’s aggression and dominance, and had pledged to keep up the movement until inequality ended and a new Bangladesh was built.
The event’s chief guest was Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Jahidul Islam. Others present included central foundation secretary Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan, central human rights secretary and former Rajshahi metropolitan president Mohammad Sifat Alam, Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union Vice President and Rajshahi University branch president Mostakur Rahman Zahid, central executive council member and Chittagong University Central Students’ Union Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Roni, and Rajshahi metropolitan president Moha Shamim Uddin. Rajshahi College branch Shibir president Mahmudul Hasan Masum chaired the event, and secretary Mosharraf Hossain moderated.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report