Ammar challenges Islami Chhatra Shibir

It had remained undisclosed until recently that Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar had been associated with Islami Chhatra Shibir. Recently, Chhatra Shibir said he had been expelled from the organization about one and a half years ago over several allegations. He has now challenged Chhatra Shibir to prove those allegations.

Giving Chhatra Shibir a 24-hour ultimatum, Rucsu General Secretary (GS) Ammar made a post on his Facebook page on Thursday morning.

In the post titled “Challenge to Shibir Across Bangladesh (including Pakistan Shibir),” he wrote, “Prove that I took a position in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in exchange for money.”

Calling the allegation propaganda, he wrote, “Using your pad to target people is the extreme level of hypocrisy. If you have the courage, accept the challenge. Show proof of position trading.” Ammar also said he would issue more challenges to Chhatra Shibir in the future.

In the latest Rucsu election, Salahuddin Ammar was elected GS from the “Adhipottyobirodhi Oikya” panel, which was widely discussed as a “dummy panel” of Shibir. However, he had consistently denied his association with Shibir.

The issue of Ammar’s association with Shibir came under renewed discussion after Mehdi Sajib, the vice-presidential candidate from that panel, emerged as the publicity and media secretary of the Rajshahi University unit of Shibir.

The matter of Ammar’s association with Shibir was subsequently revealed in a letter signed by Mujahid Faisal, president of the Rajshahi University unit of the organization.

The letter, signed on August 31, said Salahuddin Ammar, general secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), was relieved of his position as a “Sathi” of Islami Chhatra Shibir in February 2025 over various allegations including the theft of a laptop from Rajshahi City Corporation, position trading in the Mahanagar Chhatra Shakti, financial irregularities and “free mixing” with women. It said he was permanently relieved from the organization in September of the same year after failing to provide satisfactory answers to the allegations.

Regarding why the information was made public after so long, Mehdi Hasan, general secretary of Rajshahi University Chhatra Shibir, said, “According to our constitution, there is no rule to disclose such information publicly when someone is expelled. Because everyone can make mistakes.”

He said Ammar became a Sathi of Shibir while studying at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa. He remained associated with Chhatra Shibir after enrolling at Rajshahi University.