Special Correspondent: Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly denied allegations linking it to the recent disturbance at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Ali (R.) in Mirpur, Dhaka, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.
In a joint statement on Saturday, May 16, Central President Nurul Islam and Secretary General Sibgatullah said the organization had no connection to the incident that occurred at the Shah Ali Mazar premises on the night of May 14.
“Chhatra Shibir is a disciplined, law-abiding and ideological student organization that respects the country’s legal system,” the statement read. “Attacking any place of worship, shrine, or visitors, or taking the law into one’s own hands to create disorder, goes against our principles, ideals, and organizational tradition.”
The leaders said they were concerned that some law enforcement officials and media outlets were attempting to implicate Chhatra Shibir without establishing the facts. They noted that local eyewitnesses and another administrative source had described the incident as an immediate public response and scuffle against local drug users.
“Accusing a disciplined student organization that respects the law, without specific evidence or investigation, is part of a deeper conspiracy,” the statement said. “This planned propaganda is aimed at gaining political advantage and tarnishing Chhatra Shibir’s clean image.”
The leaders demanded that such irresponsible and misleading statements be withdrawn immediately. They also called on authorities to conduct an impartial investigation, analyze CCTV footage, and bring the actual perpetrators to justice. They urged the public not to be misled by what they described as fabricated propaganda.
