A wave of debate has erupted on social media after photos of Chattogram University (CU) Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Abrar Farabi, currently the president of Shibir’s Sohrawardi Hall unit, showed his previous involvement with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
These photos, posted from his past Facebook account under the name “N U Abrar Farabi”, reveal his connections with top BCL leaders and even contain posts critical of Jamaat-e-Islami and Shibir—organizations he is now actively associated with.
Viral Photos and Past Posts Raise Eyebrows
Two specific posts from December 29, 2021, and November 14, 2022, along with several others, recently went viral. In these, Farabi appears with then BCL vice-president Pradip Chakraborty Durjoy, and is seen congratulating political figures like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Chattogram Mayor A.J.M. Nasir Uddin.
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One 2021 post shows him paying tribute to a BCL leader allegedly killed by Shibir activists:
“২০০১ সালের ২৯ ডিসেম্বর খুনী জামায়াত-শিবিরের হাতে নির্মমভাবে নিহত… শহীদ আলী মরতুজা চৌধুরী ভাইয়ের ২০তম মৃত্যুবার্ষিকীতে গভীর শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি…”
Translation: “On 29 December 2001, the brutal killing of martyr Ali Mortuza Chowdhury by Jamaat-Shibir… Deep respect on his 20th death anniversary…”
In another 2022 post, he praised a BCL leader who fought against Shibir:
“ছাত্রলীগ করার অপরাধে যৌবনে ওনার জীবনের অনেকগুলো বসন্ত হারিয়েছেন…”
Translation: “He lost many years of youth for the ‘crime’ of being in Chhatra League…”
Farabi: “Yes, I Was in Chhatra League, But Now I’m in Shibir”
Responding to the controversy, Abrar Farabi admitted to his past but said he had officially switched sides in 2023.
“আমি ছাত্রলীগ করেছি, সেটা অস্বীকার করছি না কিন্তু ২০২২ সালের জুনের পর থেকে ছাত্রলীগের সাথে সম্পৃক্ত ছিলাম না।”
Translation: “I was in Chhatra League, I don’t deny it. But I had no involvement after June 2022.”
He added that he later joined Shibir and took part in their organizational activities, including the July Uprising at CU:
“জুলাই বিপ্লব শুরু হতেই আমি আন্দোলনের সাথে যুক্ত হই এবং বৈষম্যবিরোধী আন্দোলন নামে একটি গ্রুপও আমি অপেন করি।”
Translation: “When the July revolution began, I joined the movement and even started a group called Anti-Discrimination Movement.”
Shibir Leadership Responds
When asked, Mohammad Ali, the CU Shibir president, confirmed Farabi’s journey into the organization:
“তার ফেসবুক পোস্টগুলো ২০২১-২২ সালের, যখন সে ছাত্রলীগের সাথেই যুক্ত ছিল।”
Translation: “The posts are from 2021-22, a time when he was with Chhatra League.”
He also clarified that Farabi joined Shibir before the July movement and completed all required steps to become a full member:
“সে সংগঠনের সব ধারা পূর্ণ করে, মূলনীতি মেনে দায়িত্বশীল পর্যায়ে এসেছে।”
Translation: “He followed all guidelines of the organization and rose to a leadership position.”
Source: Dhaka Post
