City Desk :
The abrupt collapse of the Awami League government on 5th August, 2024, the culmination of the July Uprising, the monumental movements by the end had drawn in people from all walks of life, but were led by the students of Dhaka University, signifying yet another glorious chapter in the 104-year history of the institution.
Prior to the Uprising, almost every aspect of campus life was influenced by the ruling party’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League. The allocation of dormitory seats was controlled by the organisation.
First- and second-year students, upon entering the halls, were typically denied proper seats (allocation in rooms) and forced to stay in overcrowded ‘Gonorooms’. In contrast, Chhatra League leaders enjoyed single beds, and in many halls, some enjoyed entire rooms to themselves, states UNB.
A fourth-year student of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Muslimur Rahman, said, “It felt like we were imprisoned in a concentration camp. If somebody returned to the room a little late at night, he wouldn’t get space to sleep. Then he had to spend the whole night sitting in the reading room or sleeping in the mosque.”
In stark contrast, leaders of the Chhatra League used to live comfortably in single-occupancy seats (dorms). “They would artificially create a seat crisis and hold general students hostage,” Muslimur continued.
“Whenever they announced any political program, it had to be attended. On many occasions, they even instructed students to skip classes and join their programs.”
What if they disobeyed these instructions?
“Then the torture would begin,” said Muslimur. “At night, they would be summoned and subjected to abusive language, threats, and even physical assault.
This would take place in the Guestroom.”
Dhaka University’s ‘Guestrooms’ typically a room near the hall’s entrance meant for students and visitors to sit or wait- spelt terror for students. At night, students were taken to the Chhatra League. Seniors would sit, while junior students had to stand in line.
