JCD set for leadership shift
A new central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is expected to be announced soon, as outgoing President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir posted separate farewell messages reflecting on their tenure and expressing confidence in the organisation’s next leadership.
Rakib, in a Facebook post, said one of the most important chapters of his life was coming to an end in a respectful and cordial environment. He thanked BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, senior party leaders and former JCD leaders for giving him the opportunity to serve the organisation.
He said his leadership had focused on promoting positive student politics and ensuring that general students did not face harassment or unwanted situations because of JCD activists.
Rakib described the committee’s role during the July uprising as one of its major achievements, saying JCD coordinated programmes with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and played an active role on the streets.
He also acknowledged mistakes during his tenure and sought forgiveness from anyone who may have been hurt by his actions. Rakib urged supporters to warmly welcome the incoming JCD leadership.
Meanwhile, Nasir Uddin Nasir said he was stepping down from his position as general secretary but would remain committed to Chhatra Dal.
“Today, I am leaving the responsibility, not Chhatra Dal. One can leave a position, but not an ideology, love or fellow comrades,” he wrote.
Nasir said his political journey began during the 1/11 political crisis and described the following 17 years as a period marked by struggle, sacrifice, repression, enforced disappearances and killings.
Reflecting on his tenure, he said more than 2,000 organisational committees were formed, crediting the achievement to activists at all levels.
He also admitted that some organisational targets remained incomplete, including the expansion of the central committee, and described JCD’s failure to achieve expected results in student union elections as a setback and a learning experience.
Nasir expressed confidence that the incoming leadership would make JCD stronger and more dynamic, adding that he would continue to support the organisation whenever needed. Both outgoing leaders ended their messages by apologising for any mistakes and expressing hope that the next central committee would take the student organisation forward.
