There has been controversy over Chhatra Union's participation in a recent meeting of the Liaison Committee for Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
However, the organization has clarified that the individual who attended the meeting does not represent Chhatra Union.
The matter came to light through a press release issued by Chhatra Union on Wednesday.
On Thursday, various media outlets reported that the Liaison Committee held a meeting with active student organizations, saying that representatives from Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and 35 other organizations were present.
Meghmollar Bosu, who is affiliated with a faction led by Ragib Naeem-Rakibul Roni of the Dhaka University Committee, attended the meeting.
In response, a faction of Chhatra Union led by Mahir Shahriar Reza and Bahauddin Shuvo expressed their displeasure.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday they said: "Ragib Naeem and his group do not represent Chhatra Union. Out of fear of political and leadership defeat, a few representatives left the council house and formed a so-called committee. Since then, they have engaged in controversial and unconstitutional activities, tarnishing Chhatra Union's image and misleading the public. They have even participated in a discussion with the defeated forces of 1971, like Chhatra Shibir."
The statement continued: "After the media reported on Monday about the meeting between the Liaison Committee and student organizations, we confirmed on Tuesday through a press release that Chhatra Union was not present at the meeting. However, we have since learned that a so-called committee led by Ragib Naeem and Rakibul Roni represented the Chhatra Union in that meeting. We want to make it clear that Ragib Naeem and his group do not represent the Chhatra Union."
They added: "After the 40th National Conference of Bangladesh Chhatra Union on November 19, 2020, a few delegates, fearing political defeat and loss of leadership, left the council house and later formed a so-called central committee on April 12, 2021. It should be noted that Chhatra Union's constitution does not recognize such a committee. Even after efforts were made to reintegrate them into the organization during the 41st National Conference of Chhatra Union in 2023, they again left the main council house at Dhaka University's TSC out of fear of political defeat and formed a so-called central committee, currently led by Ragib Naeem and Rakibul Roni.
"Since forming this so-called central committee, they have been engaging in various controversial activities that go against Chhatra Union's declaration and constitution, tarnishing the organization's image and misleading the public. These activities include politically sheltering rapists, supporting communal politics, and most recently, participating in a discussion with the defeated forces of 1971, like Chhatra Shibir, at TSC on Monday."
Regarding the activities of the committee led by Ragib Naeem and Rakibul Roni, the statement added: "The genocidal forces of Chhatra Shibir have never apologized to the nation for their heinous activities during the Liberation War. Naturally, there can be no discussion or alliance between Chhatra Union, an organization that participated in the Liberation War with its own guerrilla force, and them. The so-called committee led by Ragib Naeem and Rakibul Roni does not represent Chhatra Union. Chhatra Union is not responsible for any actions of this so-called committee.
"No one has the moral right to claim to be a member of Chhatra Union while blatantly disregarding its ideals, declaration, and constitution. Chhatra Union has fully joined the fight against the tyrannical Hasina regime, and two of its members have been martyred in this struggle. Chhatra Union members are aware of their ideals and struggle. Moving forward, Chhatra Union will continue its activities with the goal of establishing a democratic and egalitarian society, while upholding its historical responsibilities against imperialism and communalism."
