Protests flared up at Dhaka University (DU) and Jagannath University (JnU) campuses on allegations that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman made disrespectful comments about women in the workforce on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), left-leaning student groups, and working women organized separate demonstrations, including marches with brooms and torches, calling for a public apology from the Jamaat leader.
During midday, JCD leaders and members marched from DU’s Madhur Canteen, passing through the Arts Building and Raju Sculpture areas before gathering for a rally at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla. Speakers at the rally criticized the Jamaat leader for his alleged statements, denouncing their views on working women and demanding accountability.
Sayera Chandra Chakma, JCD Central Joint Secretary, condemned the Jamaat for their disrespectful portrayal of working women and emphasized equality. The protesters voiced slogans such as “Women are not prostitutes; Shafiq must apologize” and questioned the authenticity of the hacked account claim made by the Jamaat chief.
Rakibul Islam Rakib, JCD Central President, warned of escalated actions if Shafiqur did not issue an unconditional apology, highlighting the significant role of women in the electorate. Simultaneously, Jagannath University (JnU) students, led by female activists from the JnU unit of JCD, held a protest rally at the university’s Shanto Chattar.
Farzana Akter Tumpa, president of the Nawab Faizunnesa Chowdhurani Hall unit of JCD, strongly criticized the offensive remarks made by the Jamaat leader. Khadijatul Kubra, joint convener of the JnU unit of JCD, described the comparison of working women to prostitution as a severe insult.
Later in the day, women leaders from various student organizations organized a broom procession in front of the Raju Sculpture at DU to express their dissent. In the evening, the Ganantratik Chhatra Jote, a coalition of seven left-leaning student organizations, staged a torch procession from the TSC. Additionally, a group of working women held a broom procession in the Baishteki area of Kafrul in Mirpur in the afternoon.
