Student union elections: Shibir’s panel to include women, representatives from other religions

The Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced that its panel for the upcoming student union elections will include female students and representatives of other religious communities.

Shibir's Central President Zahidul Islam made the announcement at a press conference at Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club today (14 August).

He said, "The move aims to promote diversity and broader representation in student politics."

At the event, he also presented a 30-point proposal for reforms in the country's education sector. 

The demands focus on creating an inclusive education system, reforming curricula to integrate ethical and scientific values, expanding women's and minority education, improving student facilities including accommodation and mental health services and strengthening democratic practices through mandatory student union elections.

At the press conference, the Shibir president said, "Chhatra Shibir is working to remove fear from campus politics."

He claimed the suspension of student union elections over the years was aimed at promoting loyalty-based politics.

He also criticised other student organisations for attacking peers "due to a lack of their own agenda" and called on them to focus on healthy, student-friendly programmes. 

"Over the past 16 years, fear has been instilled on campuses through the spread of fascism in student politics, prompting general students to demand a ban. Shibir respects this sentiment but will announce hall committees only if all student organisations and students support student politics and fear is removed from campuses," he added. 

Shibir's general secretary and other central committee leaders were present at the press conference.