Khadijatul Kubra, the candidate for General Secretary (GS) supported by JCD and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUcsu) elections, expressed that she is facing severe mental distress due to defamation campaigns, online harassment, and increasing pressure. She mentioned that the current situation is more challenging for her mental well-being than the 15 months she spent in jail due to the now-repealed Digital Security Act.
In a recent Facebook post, Kubra revealed that prior to her involvement in student politics, she had never encountered any allegations. However, shortly after joining, she became a target of online attacks from fake profiles and received defamatory remarks. She also stated that individuals claiming to be journalists have been contacting her with misleading inquiries, false accusations, and unwarranted pressure tactics. Kubra expressed her dismay at being coerced by one person while another instructed them on what to say if the first attempt failed.
She urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and emphasized that aligning with any political faction contradicts the core principles of journalism. Kubra’s post also addressed the recent controversy surrounding a charity concert organized to support Mohammad Noor Nabi, a JnU student battling cancer in the Finance department. At the event, Kubra announced a donation of Tk 50,000 towards his treatment, triggering discussions as the Election Commission had prohibited candidates from taking the stage.
Kubra stated that her intention in entering politics was to instigate positive changes, but the continuous onslaught of attacks and character defamation highlights the reasons why many women are reluctant to engage in politics. She later clarified that her criticisms were directed solely at journalists she believed were advancing a political agenda.
Despite the challenges, Kubra affirmed her commitment to standing by marginalized and vulnerable individuals, asserting her unwavering dedication even if it meant risking her life.