Provosts of 11 out of 19 halls at Dhaka University have signed letters of commitment to ban student politics. This action follows a heightened movement by students advocating for quota reform.
The signatures were collected by students after a late-night initiative to remove leaders of the Chhatra League from the residential halls began on Wednesday. In the wake of this move, the rooms of several Chhatra League leaders were vandalized.
The residential halls that have implemented the ban on student politics include Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, Ruqayyah Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, and Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.
In addition to banning student politics, the letters of commitment also included several other directives. These directives stipulate that no party politics will be allowed in dormitories, students whose terms have expired will be immediately removed, and seats currently occupied by non-students will be immediately reallocated based on merit.
This move comes as part of a broader push by students to reform the existing quota system, which they argue is outdated and unfair. The actions taken by the hall provosts reflect the growing unrest and demand for change within the student community at Dhaka University.