Infighting rocks SAD's Ctg chapter: Leaders expel each other amid allegations of misconduct, extortion

The Chattogram chapter of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which spearheaded the mass uprising in July-August last year, is now facing a major internal crisis as its leadership is descending into open conflict marked by expulsions, counter-expulsions, and legal threats.

Just a day after the chapter's Spokesperson Fatema Khanam Liza was removed, another faction announced the expulsion of the city unit's Convener Arif Moinuddin and Member Secretary Nizam Uddin.

A statement signed by Joint Member Secretary Rahadul Islam Sunday declared that Arif and Nizam had been expelled for alleged extortion, tender manipulation, harassment of women, and unethical behaviour. 

The statement claimed the decision was unanimous within the group and urged law enforcement and the public to take action if the expelled individuals claimed any official role in the organisation.

Speaking to the media, Rahadul Islam accused the two leaders of making unilateral decisions without consulting the official WhatsApp group or other members. 

"They act as if having signing authority makes them untouchable. We discussed the matter in the group and decided to expel them," he said.

The photo collage shows some expulsion notices of the members of the Chattogram chapter of Students Against Discrimination (SAD)

In response, Arif Moinuddin strongly rejected the legitimacy of his removal. "A joint secretary has no authority to expel a convener or member secretary," he said.

Arif further alleged that Rahadul had already been dismissed from the committee and acted out of personal revenge after his close associate Liza was expelled.

Meanwhile, the same day, Liza escalated the situation by issuing a legal notice against Arif and Nizam through her lawyer, Mohammad Manjurul Haque.

The notice said the allegations against her were defamatory and amounted to "character assassination", potentially punishable under Bangladesh's Cyber Tribunal laws. 

It also criticised the lack of due process in her expulsion, noting that no prior warning or discussion with central leadership had taken place.

The notice demanded a full retraction of the expulsion order within seven days, including a public clarification on social media and in the press.

Failure to comply would result in legal proceedings, it warned.

Earlier on Saturday, Arif and Nizam issued a statement justifying Liza's removal, citing viral images and videos allegedly showing her using drugs and engaging in what they called an "uncontrolled lifestyle." 

They claimed such behaviour was inappropriate for someone representing a platform built on the sacrifices of thousands during the July uprising and was damaging to the organisation's public image.

Liza, a student of Chattogram College, denied the allegations on Facebook Live. "If they can't prove the drug use claim within two hours, I will take legal action. The accusation about my lifestyle is completely baseless."

Amid the turmoil, members identifying as the "female fighters of July" scheduled a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club today to address the crisis. 

However, the event was abruptly cancelled without explanation.

Sources within SAD later revealed that Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (CNP), intervened in the dispute and promised to mediate a resolution through a meeting in Dhaka.