Students of Dhaka University (DU) set fire to the effigy of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who described the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) as a “den of drugs and a brothel.”
They also staged a protest march against his comments. The demonstration was held on Sunday evening at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus.
Recently, Mohammad Shamim Ahsan, assistant secretary general of Jamaat’s Barguna district unit, called Ducsu a “brothel” at a public meeting.
During the protest, the students denounced the Jamaat leader’s comments as “defamatory and false” and demanded an apology.
Hema Chakma said, “It is incomprehensible how a political leader could make such remarks about Ducsu in public. We are in 2026, and women are now aware of their rights and their economic and social emancipation. Many women come to the university from remote areas after enduring great hardship. Such comments about them are completely unacceptable.”
She added, “Regardless of which candidate or party leader makes derogatory remarks against women, we will oppose them. We want a women-friendly Bangladesh. The Jamaat leader concerned must apologise publicly.”
Sadman Abdullah, general secretary of Salimullah Muslim Hall Union, said, “Dhaka University has been part of many historic movements—the Language Movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, the election of 1970, the Liberation War of 1971, and the mass uprising of 2024. Therefore, any indecent remarks about this university will not be tolerated.”
He also urged every hall union to release statements condemning the remarks.
At the protest rally, Ducsu member Hema Chakma, Research and Publication Secretary Sanjida Ahmed Tonni, and hall union leaders took part. Leaders and activists from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, and several left-leaning student organisations were also present.
The Dhaka University authorities have also condemned the Jamaat leader’s comments.
However, Ducsu Literary and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad on Sunday night issued a stern warning to the Jamaat leader following his “controversial and insulting” comments regarding the student body.
