The Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, is believed to be the main architect behind the turmoil in Bangladesh that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and left over 300 dead, according to sources. The organization is thought to have the backing of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.
In the last two years, many Islami Chhatra Shibir cadres have been admitted to various universities in Bangladesh, where they began their work of instigating university students. This led to the recent protests by university students over a controversial quota system for government jobs. The main centers of Islami Chhatra Shibir's influence include Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Jahangir University, Sylhet University, and Rajshahi University. In fact, all the student organizations that won university elections in the last three years did so with the support of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
The organization has deep connections with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, with many of its cadres having gone to Pakistan for training and coordination. ISI members reportedly joined the student movement by using fake display pictures of students on social media and actively engaged in instigating the movement online. Sources indicate that the students of Islami Chhatra Shibir got trapped in the clutches of ISI, which contributed to the movement turning violent. The role of social media cannot be underestimated as it was used extensively to spread propaganda and mobilize support for the protests.
In addition to its involvement in student politics, Islami Chhatra Shibir also participates in madrasa activities, aiming to influence young minds from an early age. Many of the JMB (Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh) members arrested in India in recent years are cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir, including notable figures such as Nurul Islam, Bulbul Mohammad, Najrul Islam, and Kamal Ahmed Sikdar. These individuals have been implicated in various terrorist activities and have strong ties to extremist networks.
It is believed that the "India out" campaign, which gained momentum this year following Sheikh Hasina's return to power for a fourth consecutive term, was instigated by Islami Chhatra Shibir. The entire conspiracy behind this campaign, modeled after a similar protest in the Maldives, is attributed to Pakistan and the ISI, sources said. The campaign aimed to destabilize the region and reduce Indian influence in Bangladesh, thereby creating a power vacuum that could be exploited by anti-India forces.
The involvement of Islami Chhatra Shibir in the recent upheaval in Bangladesh highlights the complex and often dangerous interplay between domestic politics and international influences. The organization’s ability to mobilize large numbers of students and other segments of society demonstrates its significant reach and influence. As Bangladesh navigates this period of political instability, the role of external actors like ISI in fomenting unrest and their long-term objectives in the region will continue to be a cause for concern for both the Bangladeshi government and its neighbors.Â
The new interim government faces the daunting task of restoring order and addressing the underlying issues that led to the protests. It must work closely with stakeholders, including student groups and political parties, to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition. The international community, particularly regional powers like India, will be closely watching these developments and may need to play a role in supporting stability and democracy in Bangladesh.
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