DUCSU VP Candidate Abdul Kader Alarmed by Smear Campaign

Abdul Kader, vice-presidential candidate of the Anti-Discrimination Student Council panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU) elections, has expressed deep concern over a coordinated smear campaign against him.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, 4 September, Kader wrote: “I do not want to win DUCSU; I just want to survive. I request at least a little mercy be shown to me.”

Kader claimed that the smear campaign began after he spoke on the issue of a Rajakar (collaborator during Bangladesh Liberation War) and has intensified over time, leaving him mentally distressed.

He added: “I cannot sleep; I wake up in the middle of the night; my body shakes. How much more can one person endure? People’s tolerance has a limit.”

Kader also alleged that the harassment has extended to his family members.

“Even my mother is being interrogated at home,” he wrote.

He further stated that a 10-day-old statement has been selectively cut and circulated, preventing the public from understanding the full context of his remarks.

“If the complete statement were shared, people would understand what I truly said,” Kader asserted.

He concluded his post with a note of anxiety: “This is just the beginning; five more days remain. I am afraid to even imagine what will happen by then.”

The controversy began after Kader appeared on a television talk show, where he was quoted as saying:“Student League may have many faults, but the Dhaka University branch of the Student League has been very tolerant towards women.”

Since then, Kader has faced widespread criticism on social media, with netizens accusing him of insensitive remarks.