Forhad’s Facebook Video: Shibir Leader and Chhatra League VP Not the Same
Amid widespread confusion over name similarities, Dhaka University student leader SM Forhad Hossain has appeared on social media with a video message titled “The Real Forhad” to distinguish himself from another student, SM Forhad, who is the secretary of the university unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
On Wednesday, September 3, Forhad Hossain, a former vice-president of the now-banned Chhatra League’s Jasimuddin Hall unit, directly addressed his association with Chhatra League in the video message posted on Facebook.
He began by saying, “Assalamu Alaikum. I am SM Forhad Hossain, a student of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, session 2016–17, at Kabi Jasimuddin Hall of Dhaka University. Many media outlets and individuals have been calling me and mentioning me on Facebook to ask whether I am the same person as Shibir’s SM Forhad. This has created some misperceptions on social media as well as in mainstream media. I feel I must clarify the matter.”
He further explained, “On September 22, 2024, I cleared this confusion in a Facebook post. Shibir’s Forhad and I are not the same person. My home is in Satkhira, while his is in Chattogram. I belong to the 2016–17 session, while he is from the 2017–18 session. My department is Persian Language and Literature, while his is the Institute of Social Welfare and Research. He is my junior and a hall resident. Many people are mixing this up, but we are not the same individual.”
Clarifying his organizational role, Forhad Hossain said, “The name shown on Chhatra League’s pad as vice-president belongs to me, not Shibir’s Forhad. During the mass uprising in July 2024, we, who were on Chhatra League’s official pad, collectively resigned in protest on July 14 and immediately joined the movement. On that day we marched on campus chanting ‘Tumi ke, ami ke, rajakar, rajakar’ and later condemned the then-prime minister at Raju Memorial Sculpture.”
He continued, “That night I returned to my hall at 3 a.m. Later, on the 15th, 16th, and 17th, we were attacked on campus by Chhatra League and outsiders. On the 17th, I participated in protests across Dhaka. The issue of Chhatra League’s vice-presidency relates to me, not to Shibir’s Forhad. I have said this before. A writ petition was filed in connection with Daksu elections against Forhad, but that could be against anyone. What is not right is to mix him up with me or confuse me with someone else. That is why I made this video—to clarify that I am one person, and Shibir’s Forhad is another. That is the real fact. I hope there will be a fair and proper resolution to this matter.”
Concluding, he said, “Our hall’s VP candidate is Abid bhai, my immediate senior. I wish him well, as well as SM Forhad, and Sadiq, my close friend. Best wishes to everyone. Whoever the students believe represents truth and justice, Dhaka University students will entrust them with leadership. Best wishes for the Daksu election.”
Earlier, in his September 22 Facebook post, Forhad Hossain had written, “Since my name is similar to my younger brother SM Forhad, many are confused. Therefore, I am clarifying my identity. My name is SM Forhad Hossain, session 2016–17, Department of Persian Language and Literature, home in Satkhira. My hall junior’s name is SM Forhad, session 2017–18, Department of Social Welfare, home in Chattogram. The Shibir secretary at Dhaka University is my junior, a gentle boy, and a member of the hall debating club. I wish my younger brother endless success.”
