Brotherhood, Belief, and the Ballot: How Shibir’s DUCSU Victory Reflects a Deeper Shift in Bangladesh

I first encountered Islami Chhatra Shibir not through politics, but through kindness. I was in class six, a young student in high school, when the “boro bhais”—senior brothers—associated with Shibir introduced me to a world beyond textbooks. They encouraged me to read, to pray, to build a routine grounded in personal development and faith. They weren’t intimidating. They were warm, respectful, and deeply committed to helping others grow.

As I grew older, life pulled me in different directions. Family opinions, social pressure, and the shifting political climate created distance between me and those early influences. But one moment in college stuck with me. I asked a senior Shibir brother why their organization remained so powerful on campus despite being fewer in number. He smiled and said, “Because in conflict, ten Shibir brothers will stand together while a hundred others scatter. We don’t leave each other behind.”

That bond—rooted in Islamic brotherhood and mutual accountability—is what makes Shibir unique. It’s not just political. It’s personal.

🧨 Demonization and Repression

Over the past 15 years, Sheikh Hasina’s regime turned Shibir into a scapegoat, branding them as violent extremists and justifying brutal crackdowns with slogans like “Ekta ekta Shibir dhor, dhoira dhoira job kor.” Meanwhile, Chhatra League dominated campuses with fear, dictating student life and silencing dissent. The university, once a space for free thought, became a playground for repression.

After Hasina’s fall, the same tactics were adopted by BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. They too began to muzzle voices, acting as if power had already been handed to them. But the students saw through it. The anger simmered. And in the 2025 DUCSU election, it erupted.

🗳️ A Monumental Shift

Shibir’s sweeping victory—winning 23 out of 28 seats including VP and GS—is not just a political win. It’s a moral reckoning. It reflects a yearning for sincerity, for leadership that doesn’t exploit but uplifts. The students didn’t vote for fear. They voted for faith, for fraternity, for a future where politics serves people—not the other way around.

This win is a testament to Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing and its moderate Islamic philosophy. It’s a reminder that politics can be principled. That leadership can be humble. That brotherhood can be stronger than brute force.

🔮 What Comes Next

The DUCSU result is not an isolated event. It’s a preview of what’s coming. In the national landscape, we may soon see a reflection of this shift—a rejection of repression, and a return to values. If Shibir continues to lead with integrity, their influence will grow not just in universities, but across Bangladesh.

And maybe, just maybe, the next generation will remember their “boro bhais” not as enforcers of fear, but as mentors of hope.