Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has removed Md Shamim Ahsan, a local party leader, from all organisational positions over remarks deemed offensive about the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).
An official letter signed by Barguna district unit Jamaat amir Maulana Mohibullah Harun confirmed the decision on Tuesday, January 27.
According to the letter, Shamim, who served as assistant secretary of the Barguna district unit, made the controversial comments during a public meeting in Patharghata upazila on January 25.
He said that the central students union of Dhaka University was a drug den and brother before Jamaat’s student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir swept the last election. The remark on the body that represents the students of Dhaka University, widely regarded as the country’s premier institution of higher education, Jamaat described as an inappropriate and irresponsible manner.
The letter said the comments caused widespread offence among current and former Dhaka University students and members of the public, and damaged the image of Jamaat-e-Islami. Such remarks, it added, are inconsistent with the party’s principles and ideology.
Following a decision by the district working council, Shamim’s party membership was suspended, relieving him of his post as district assistant secretary and all other organisational responsibilities.
Speaking to Jago News, Maulana Mohibullah Harun said the party regretted the incident and stressed that derogatory remarks about Dhaka University were unacceptable. He added that the disciplinary action was taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Nurul Ahad Anik/MHK