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Dhaka University Vice President (VP) candidate from the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing), Abidul Islam Khan, has alleged that rumors and misinformation are being deliberately spread across different student groups on social media in the run-up to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, August 22, after Jumma prayers at Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Islam expressed frustration over what he described as a coordinated campaign to distort his words and mislead the student community. He claimed that whenever he or his team attempted to present the truth online, their posts and clarifications were being removed. He urged the university administration to take firm action against those involved in spreading fabricated content.
Islam clarified that his earlier remarks about potential candidacies from student leaders had been deliberately twisted. “Yesterday I said that our president and general secretary could have contested in the DUCSU polls if they wanted. But in reality, the candidates who have been nominated reflect the demands of students and the campus environment. They have been chosen through a process linked to the students’ aspirations,” he explained.
According to Islam, this clarification was misrepresented on various groups where rumors circulated suggesting he had claimed the president and general secretary could automatically assume VP or General Secretary positions if they wished. He described such distortions as “entirely false” and warned that these tactics are harmful to the democratic atmosphere at the university.
He went further to accuse certain quarters of orchestrating behind-the-scenes propaganda by producing altered campaign materials, such as doctored photo cards. “Those who are spreading these falsehoods are working with a distorted mindset. No rational or sincere individual would engage in such malicious propaganda,” he said.
The VP candidate expressed deep concern that the unchecked spread of misinformation could jeopardize the fairness of the upcoming election. “If such activities continue, it will be impossible to maintain a healthy and transparent electoral environment,” Islam stated.
He also appealed to the authorities of Dhaka University to intervene swiftly to ensure order is maintained. “I hope the administration will take immediate steps. Those responsible for propaganda and deliberate misinformation should face legal consequences,” he added.
Islam stressed that the DUCSU election should be an opportunity to restore trust in democratic processes at the university. However, he warned that orchestrated smear campaigns could undermine student confidence and destabilize the electoral process if left unaddressed.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the election, Islam’s remarks underscore rising tensions among rival student groups. The allegations of digital manipulation and false propaganda have added to the broader concerns about whether the university administration will be able to guarantee a level playing field for all candidates.
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