22 years in the Chair of Women's Awami League

One of the organizations of Bangladesh Awami League is 'Bangladesh Mahila Awami League.' It started on February 27, 1969 with the approval of Bangabandhu, the founder of the nation. Bangabandhu Kanya Bangladesh Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's guidance and the efficient leadership of the President-General Secretary have never seen stagnation in the center of this popular party. There is also satisfaction in the democratic process of committee formation. However, in some districts, there is dissatisfaction with the lack of change in leadership and holding the chair of the president. Although aware of the outrage, the Central Committee bowed down to the pressure of the powerful.

According to related sources, in 2000, Central Women's Awami League President late Ivy Rahman and General Secretary Khaleda Khanom took the initiative to form Cumilla District (South) Women's Awami League. Advocate Fahmida Zebin (current Comilla Nagar Awami League Women's Affairs Secretary) was ahead in the race for the formation of the committee, but for unknown reasons, the committee was formed with Principal Jobeda Khatun Parul as the president and Salma Khanam Chowdhury Rosi as the general secretary. It is alleged that Central General Secretary Khaleda Khanom formed this committee from Cumilla. At that time many dedicated leaders of Cumilla district (South) were left out.

Unbelievable but true, Jobeda Khatun Parul has not left this post since she was appointed as the President of Cumilla (South) Women's Awami League. According to multiple sources of Cumilla Awami League, from 2000 to 2022, she held the post of president. Which Jobeda Khatun Parul himself admitted. Only in 2017 was a compliance council convened. She managed to keep his position as president intact in the council as well.

Cumilla District (South) Women's Awami League and Central Committee are also angry and dissatisfied with Jobeda Khatun Parul's 22-year tenure as president. For a long time, women who have been Awami League, many have moved away from the party in anger. Again,  Jobeda Khatun Parul also removed many people in a strategy to retain his position as president.

It is alleged that she did not obey the constitution of Mahila Awami League due to exemption or removal. Without the approval of the central committee, she violated the constitution by sending letters of dismissal to two organizational secretaries of Comilla (South) Mahila Awami League. Several central leaders consider the issue as an abuse of power.

It should be noted that according to the constitution of Mahila Awami League, if any district committee has to remove someone from the organizational secretary or editorial post, the president will send the decision of the district committee meeting to the center in the form of a recommendation. The Center will take the final decision on the matter.

Allegations have been made that Jobeda Khatun Parul misused his power to occupy the president's chair and sent a letter dismissing many including organizing secretary (No. 1) Nishat Ahmed Khan and organizing secretary (No. 3) Ayesha Zaman Simu. The central committee said that there is no validity.

Jobeda Khatun Parul told the reporter, 'It is not a lie that I have been in the president's chair for 22 years. But I have to understand why I am there. Cumilla South did not develop the leadership to give the responsibility of the president. That is why the Center has not changed the post of President in 22 years. And I am in charge of the president in a legitimate way'.

Regarding giving the letter of dismissal, she said, "If someone tarnishes the reputation of the organization by getting the position of the organization, I can expel her as the district president'.

Jobeda Khatun Parul said in response to the question, 'Can the district president or the general secretary dismiss any editorial leader without the approval of the central committee'? she said, `No, I have verbally informed the center about the dismissal and have also taken verbal approval'.

However, the general secretary of the central committee, Mahmuda Begum, said that no one was given permission to be exempted orally, `without the approval of the central committee, no one has the authority to exempt anyone from the editorial post of district committee president or general secretary. It is clearly mentioned in our constitution'.

She also said that the central committee did not exempt Nishat Ahmed Khan and Ayesha Zaman Simu, organizing secretary of Cumilla District (South) Mahila Awami League.

When asked about the matter, central president Safia Khatun said, 'If the district committee sends a recommendation to relieve someone from the editorial post, the center always considers it. But we have not exempted anyone till now. Because exemption is not the last word. We want to understand everyone and move forward unitedly'.