Ensuring political coexistence of student bodies on the campus is imperative for holding polls to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), say student leaders.
The call came on Sunday during a meeting between representatives of student organisations and the Dhaka University (DU) administration.
Student leaders also also demanded to declare an exact time frame for holding the poll as soon as possible.
DU Vice chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman told the media after the meeting that they have noted down the suggestions from the student leaders.
“The next steps will be decided after further discussion. We will meet soon for fixing a date for the polls as well create an environment of equal coexistence for all student organisations on the campus.”
The ruling Awami League affiliated Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), however, said it will not give a deadline for the polls.
“What we want is, it to be held within a reasonable time. Calls have been made at the meeting for the election by November. We, however, refrained from setting a deadline as it’s the university authorities’ responsibility. But we are ready to take part whenever it happens,” said BCL General Secretary Golam Rabbani.
On allegations of a lack of political coexistence on the campus, the BCL leader said 30 percent of students at the residential hall accounts for their activists.
“The rest belong to other organisations as well as general students. Coexistence is imperative, but only regular students can be on the campus. Irregular students and those who want to create chaos have no right to be on the campus,” said Rabbani.
The BNP’s student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) said they welcome the move to hold the DUCSU polls.
“But a congenial atmosphere as well as coexistence of all organisations is imperative for the DUCSU polls. The authorities have assured us,” said JCD President Rajib Ahsan.
Leftist Bangladesh Chhatra Union echoed.
“We have called for ensuring political coexistence before setting a possible date and announcing the schedule. We have made it clear that the authorities should not consider the national election as a factor for the DUCSU polls, because it’s an independent body. The DUCSU polls have been held during the movements against autocracy as well as against the Ayub Khan regime, then why not now? We want a specific date for the polls by December,” said its General Secretary Litton Nandi.
Led by VC Akhtaruzzaman, Pro-VC s Nasreen Ahmad and Muhammad Samad (Administration), Treasurer Md Kamal Uddin, Proctor Golam Rabbani, assistant proctors and provosts of residential halls represented the university authorities in the meeting.
Representatives from 13 student organisations participated in the discussion.