Controversy has arisen over a statement by a leader of the district BNP regarding the suspension of student politics at Faridpur Medical College (FMC) recently.
In response, the BNP leader held a press conference. At the press conference, Syed Zulfikar Hossain Jewel, Joint Convener of Faridpur District BNP, described the banner activities of the college’s general students as the operations of a clandestine organization and labeled the principal as an ally of the Awami League. He also mentioned that if student politics remains banned in the college, their own existence will be undermined.
These remarks were made during a press conference at the Faridpur Press Club on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, on 11 January, Syed Zulfikar Hossain Jewel spoke at a prayer session organized by the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Faridpur Medical College branch, seeking blessings for the soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. During that speech, he expressed disappointment over the students’ attendance and criticized the ban on student politics in the college, warning the college administration.
Demanding the resumption of student politics, he said, “When educational institutions across the country have restarted student politics and elections are being held, why has student politics been banned at Faridpur Medical? For what issue has student politics been stopped here—I want to know from this administration. Student politics should be reopened immediately to practice democracy here. Otherwise, the academic council should be restructured. The responsibility to safeguard the medical college is ours, not of any malign force.”
He claimed that his remarks had been misinterpreted and apologized for any confusion. At the press conference, he explained: “Even after the prayer session had started, most of the hall remained empty. Drawing the attention of leaders and the college authorities, I asked, ‘There are so many supporters of the BNP here, so where are they?’ Then I learned that student politics is banned here. Even if student politics is banned, there is no issue of student politics here. The mourning of Begum Khaleda Zia has been observed officially. Why did students not attend on a day of mourning? I then learned that threats have been issued: if students remain in the medical college, they cannot participate in any BNP-related program. That was the context of my statement; I may have spoken incorrectly—humans do make mistakes.”
The press conference was attended by DAB District Convener Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Shamim, District Jubo Dal General Secretary Md. Jahangir Hossain, District Swechchhasebak Dal Convener Mozammel Hossain Mithu, and other BNP leaders.
