Published: May 9, 2025, 04:49 PM
“The residents of my neighbourhood were on the streets all night, but they did not cause any unrest. I want to thank them,” she says
Ahead of her arrest, former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy voiced her frustration and disappointment. As she was about to be taken into custody, Ivy questioned the rationale behind her arrest, asking, "Am I a tyrant? Have I killed or extorted? Do I have a history of attacking any opposition party in Narayanganj? Then why, and in whose interest, am I being arrested?"
A team from Sadar Model Police Station arrived at Ivy’s ancestral home, "Chunka Kutir," around 11:30 pm on Thursday to arrest her. The news quickly spread, and thousands of locals gathered in the streets, loudly protesting, chanting slogans against the arrest, and pledging to not let Ivy be taken away in the "dark of night." Around 5:45 am, Ivy, the three-time mayor, voluntarily left her home and entered the police car.
As she was being escorted, Ivy expressed her disappointment with the government, saying, "You have spoken of equality, you overthrew the old government for discrimination—then why does this continue? Do we actually value honest politics?" She highlighted her steadfast presence during political upheaval, noting that while many district leaders fled during the August political crisis, she remained at home, loyal to her position and people.
Ivy, who is the former senior vice president of the district Awami League, criticized the police`s nighttime operation, explaining, "I did not want to leave at night. If I had to go, I would have done so in the morning. I regret that the administration had to wait all night." However, she clarified that she was going with the authorities out of respect for the law, even though they could not show her the arrest warrant.
The community’s support was overwhelming, with thousands staying on the streets through the night, chanting in her favor. Ivy thanked them, saying, "The residents of my neighbourhood were on the streets all night, but they did not cause any unrest. I want to thank them." She also expressed gratitude for the love and respect shown by her supporters, saying, “I am your daughter, and I will remember this for a lifetime."
Reflecting on her father`s legacy of practicing politics beyond party lines, Ivy stated, "If I am to be labeled a criminal for saying ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,’ I have no objection." She further emphasized her commitment to the people of Narayanganj, claiming, “I have served you for 21 years. No one can say I was vengeful or discriminatory.” She also recalled her efforts to raise her voice against injustice, specifically mentioning the murder of Tanvir Ahmad Twaki, even when no one else dared to speak out.
Ivy continued to express her sorrow over her brother’s recent passing, saying, “I still can`t forget that grief... The way I am being arrested in front of my three minor children—these children don`t even have a mother."
Selina Hayat Ivy, the daughter of Ali Ahmed Chunka, the first chairman of Narayanganj Municipality, had initially pursued a medical degree abroad before returning to Bangladesh and entering politics. Over the years, she rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Narayanganj’s mayor after defeating Shamim Osman in the first city corporation election in 2011. Her political journey has been marked by rivalry with the Osman family, with whom her father had conflicts, but she has consistently worked for the people of Narayanganj, transcending political differences.
