Three letters concerning Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar’s expulsion from Islami Chhatra Shibir a year ago have surfaced on social media, prompting questions over their sudden disclosure as the elected student union’s term nears its end.
The documents began circulating on 30 September, less than a month before the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) committee’s term expires on 26 October.
Rival student organisations allege the disclosure is a calculated attempt by Shibir to distance itself from Ammar’s controversial conduct, whilst Shibir maintains that a former member released the letters by mistake.
The letters, bearing the letterhead of Shibir’s university unit, detail the cancellation of Ammar’s Sathi (associate) status following allegations of moral lapses, indifference to religious worship, inappropriate mingling with women, illegal financial transactions, and activities inimical to the organisation.
Ammar has challenged Shibir to substantiate the allegations, pointing out that it has provided no supporting evidence.
Questions over political links
Ammar drew widespread attention during the mass uprising of 5 August 2024 and the Rucsu election on 16 October the following year.
He contested the election under the Adhipatya Birodhi Oikya (Anti-Domination Unity) panel, which rivals described as Shibir’s “dummy panel”. Its vice-presidential candidate, Mehedi Sajib, now serves as the media and publicity secretary for Shibir’s university unit.
Questions regarding Ammar’s ties to Shibir have persisted from the outset. Whilst he refrained from acknowledging those links, the organisation previously declined to comment on his affiliation.
Over the past year, Ammar’s actions have sparked intense debate beyond the campus.
He has faced allegations of extortion, financial irregularities, and assaults on students.
Leaders of several student organisations claim that publicising his expulsion shortly before Rucsu’s term expires allows Shibir to evade responsibility for his controversial record.
Kaysar Ahmed, treasurer of the Rajshahi University Students’ Union, told TIMES that Ammar’s record could damage his prospects in the upcoming election.
“The current Rucsu committee’s term is coming to an end. Ammar’s activities could raise serious questions over whether he receives a mandate in the next election,” he said. “For this reason, an expulsion drama is being staged to bring forward a new ‘B team’.”
Shakilur Rahman Sohag, senior vice-president of the university unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, alleged that Ammar remained aligned with Shibir despite efforts to portray him as independent.
“Infighting has broken out within Shibir, but that does not mean Ammar is no longer involved with them. This is part of their long-term strategy, he is being presented to students as a neutral figure,” Sohag said.
Mehedi Maruf, president of the university unit Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, dismissed the expulsion as mere political theatre. “We have repeatedly said that Ammar is part of Shibir. Ammar carries out the operations that Shibir cannot officially undertake,” he alleged.
Shibir denies endorsing actions
Mehedi Hasan, general secretary of the university Shibir unit, insisted that making internal expulsion decisions public goes against organisational policy.
“One of our former members shared this by mistake. We have already asked him for a formal explanation,” Hasan said.
Hasan also refuted claims that Shibir had endorsed Ammar’s controversial behaviour.
“Shibir has not supported any of his actions. As he is an elected Rucsu representative, our representatives on the council have merely coordinated with him on official matters. There is no question of backing his conduct,” he said.
Ammar continues to deny any past formal membership with Shibir. However, after the letters surfaced, he acknowledged in a Facebook post that he had previously participated in the organisation’s cultural activities.
He iterated that Shibir had failed to produce evidence to support the allegations against him and challenged the group to make its proof public.
