The final preparations for the JUCSU elections are underway at Jahangirnagar University. The election commission has banned banners, leaflets, posters, and meetings on campus.
However, banners and posters of the former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Forum have been put up at the main gate, dormitories, and faculty buildings.
The text on one of the banners says that on the night of 15 August 1989, Shibir men hit JCD leader Kabir in the head with a sharp weapon. "He died at the ICU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital 11 days later.
"Kabir was a history student of the 16th batch and a resident of Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall," the banner reads.
On Wednesday morning, activists of "Former Nationalist Chhatra Dal Forum" held a dua mahfil at the Kendriyo Masjid on campus in memory of Kabir.
Several student organisations at the university say the banners, posters, and activities ahead of the JUCSU polls are a calculated move. Many consider it a campaign strategy of the JCD.
But JCD leaders say they hold a prayer for Kabir every year on 26 August.
The activities have nothing to do with the coming JUCSU polls, JCD says.
Member Secretary of JU Chattra Dal Wasim Ahmed Anik says the activities in remembrance of Kabir are in no way a violation of the JUCSU code of conduct.
"We have not held a rally or meeting. A forum of former Chhatra Dal leaders held a dua mahfil," he adds.
What Shibir says
Soon after returning to politics openly on 3 November 2024, Muhibur Rahman Muhib, general secretary of JU Chhatra Shibir, told a press conference that Shibir leaders were acquitted by the court and proven innocent in the case filed over Kabir's death.
However, Chhatra Dal Convener Jahir Uddin Babar says he does not know about the "acquittal".
He adds that after the fall of the Awami League regime, Shibir men have announced that they have a 14-member committee at the JU. "But they have not revealed who their members are outside of the committee. I think they should have apologised to Jahangirnagar University for Kabir's murder before starting politics openly."
On the other hand, Mahibur Rahman Muhib, president of JU unit of Shibir, says, "Of the eight murders that happened on campus, the only case resolved in a trial court is that of Kabir murder…. Yet, a group is now bringing up this resolved case to create trouble in the JUCSU environment. There is a clear ban on posters in the electoral code of conduct, but they are putting up banners and posters."
JU Proctor secretary Rashedul Alam says, "The prayer gathering by former students does not violate the JUCSU code of conduct. If anyone violates the code, action will be taken."
Mazharul Islam, the office and publication secretary of JU Chhatra Shibir, told Stream, "Habibur Rahman Kabir, a second-year student of the Department of History, was injured in a clash in 1989. In that clash, 35 Shibir members were injured too. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College along with Kabir. However, the injured Shibir members were denied medical treatment and admission."
He further added, "Those injured Chhatra Shibir members were accused of Kabir's murder. A few days later, the verdict came. There we saw, the accused were proven not guilty. Therefore, how logical is it to accuse the Shibir members even after they were found not guilty by the court?"
What happened in 1989
According to newspaper reports and witness accounts, on the night of 15 August, a clash between JCD and Shibir men left seven injured. Kabir was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died on 26 August.
Kabir's murder was widely discussed at the time. Due to objections from student organisations at JU, Shibir's politics was practically banned on JU campus until late last year.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia expressed grief over Kabir's death.
At the time, Khaleda Zia said that we are deeply saddened by the death of student leader Kabir in the brutal attack by the Chhatra Shibir. Kabir is the latest victim of the armed attacks by Chhatra Shibir. His death will, on one hand, inspire the nation in the struggle to establish the rights of the common people, and on the other hand, unite the progressive, pro-democracy, and nationalist forces of the country to continue resistance against the conspirators.
Central JCD leaders Asaduzzaman Ripon and Aman Ullah Aman and JUCSU leaders of the time demanded punishment of those involved in the killing.
In addition, 22 student organisations of JU expressed grief and demanded a ban on Shibir activities at JU.
Although there was no ban on paper, student organisations socially boycotted Shibir at JU.
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