Despite the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s organisational activities becoming visible on the campus more than a year and a half ago, the student wing is yet to publicly announce a full-fledged committee at Jamalpur Science and Technology University (JSTU).As other student organisations have resumed open political activities amid the changed political landscape following the July-August mass uprising, the Shibir unit’s decision to keep its full committee undisclosed has sparked discussions & criticism among students.After conducting organisational activities largely away from public view for a long time, three members of the university unit first appeared in public at a freshers reception organised for the university’s sixth batch on December 13, 2024. However, they did not formally disclose their political identities at the time.Amid growing discussions over the issue, the unit’s president, Mamunur Rashid, & secretary, Abdul Ahad (Fahad), publicly identified themselves through social media on February 1, 2026.Most recently, on July 25, the unit announced through a social media photocard that Md Shah Jalal had been appointed as office secretary, bringing the number of publicly announced office-bearers to three.While student organisations generally announce their full committees shortly after forming an interim or partial committee, the JSTU Shibir unit has not followed that practice.The absence of a publicly available, position-wise list has raised questions among students about the organisation’s internal structure & accountability. Concerns have also been voiced over allegations that some Shibir activists conceal their political identities while joining various campus-based clubs & organisations, while ordinary students are sometimes labelled as “Shibir” members without evidence.Abdullah Al Minhaz, a student of the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE), said, “As a student activist, we often have to face the unwanted ‘Shibir tag’. There is no denying the presence of Shibir leaders and activists in various clubs and social organisations. At a time when there are no restrictions on open politics following the mass uprising, operating while concealing one’s political identity is inappropriate. We urge Shibir to make public the lists of its workers, associates and members at all levels.”However, Jinat Mia Ajizul, member secretary of the JSTU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), alleged that Shibir had previously used the names of general students to carry out what he described as covert political activities on campus.“Using the names of ordinary students, they have misled students & created instability on campus. Under the guise of covert politics, they have promoted slogans calling for a ban on politics, as well as mob activities and disorder,” he said.“There is no longer any scope for conducting politics secretly in a democratic Bangladesh by using the names of ordinary students. We therefore urge them to abandon the practice of covert politics & come forward openly with their leaders and activists. Otherwise, ordinary students will respond to such covert activities democratically and in a united manner,” he added.When contacted about the allegations & the delay in announcing a full committee, Mamunur Rashid, president of the JSTU Shibir unit, said the organisation had already formed a committee, which was made public on February 1.“It is incorrect to say that we came into the open only then. Our committee was formed earlier & was made public later. During the mass uprising, a ban on politics was in force, and that restriction is still in place. Therefore, we have to comply with the directive from the central committee,” he said.“That is why our full committee has not been made public. We have already requested the university administration to lift the restriction. We hope to announce the full committee soon, but I cannot say exactly when,” he added.Asked about the number of Shibir activists on the campus, Rashid said, “I would have to calculate the exact figure. How can I tell you without knowing the number?”He, however, estimated that the organisation had around 200 to 300 activists, including members, shathi and workers.“We do not have the opportunity to make the list of our activists public. We have two organisational divisions; secretary based & development oriented. The remaining positions in the executive committee are currently being processed,” he said.
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