Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Big Win in Dhaka University Elections Sparks Concerns in Bangladesh
In a major shift for Bangladesh, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, known as Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), has won the Dhaka University Students Union elections for the first time since the country’s independence in 1971. This victory shows how Islamist groups are gaining ground in Bangladesh’s key institutions.
The elections saw ICS grab 9 out of 12 seats, making it the clear winner. While student elections are common, this one stands out because of ICS’s controversial past. Linked to Pakistan’s ISI and known for radical activities, ICS raises red flags for many observers.
ICS played a key role in the protests that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down last August. A 2013 study by IHS Jane’s Global Terrorism and Insurgency Attack Index ranked ICS as the third most active non-state armed group worldwide, behind only the Taliban and Thailand’s Barisan Revolusi Nasional.
The group has a history of violence. Back in February 2013, after a war crimes verdict against Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee, ICS members went on a rampage. They attacked police, burned vehicles and public property, set off bomb blasts, damaged railway tracks, and even chopped down trees. Worse, they fueled communal tensions and targeted religious minorities, sparking violence across Bangladesh.
This win signals growing Islamist influence in Bangladesh’s education system, pushing for ideas like Sharia law. During Hasina’s rule, both ICS and Jamaat-e-Islami faced bans due to their involvement in rape, torture, student harassment, tender manipulation, and other destructive acts. But after Hasina’s ouster, interim leader Muhammad Yunus quickly lifted the ban on ICS.
India has long tracked ICS through detailed dossiers, highlighting its dangers. The group includes sympathizers of terror outfits and has joined the International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations. Intelligence reports point to strong ties with Pakistan’s ISI, which funds and directs Jamaat’s moves. ICS also gets money from Saudi donors and helps Islamist agendas in South Asia and Afghanistan.
Agencies say ICS aids terror groups by recruiting members, indoctrinating them in violent jihad, and building training camps. They store weapons and supplies in hidden spots and work closely with Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI). HuJI, backed by ISI, focuses on attacks in northeast India and West Bengal. Remember the Burdwan blast case? HuJI members were caught preparing bombs there, with links tracing back to such networks.
As Bangladesh navigates this political change, the rise of ICS in Dhaka University could reshape its future. Neighbours like India watch closely, worried about the spread of radicalisation and its impact on regional stability.
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