DU Correspondent :
The Dhaka University (DU) administration held a series of meetings on Saturday with several student organisations, including the student wings of two major political parties, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir.
The discussions focused on recent issues, including student politics on campus.
The meetings took place in two sessions at the Vice-Chancellor’s Lounge within the university’s administrative building. In attendance were representatives from Chhatrashibir, Biplobi Chhatra Maitri, Chhatra Dal, Isha Chhatra Andolan, Jubo Andolan, Chhatra Front, Chhatra Union, and other leftist student groups.
On behalf of the university, Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, Treasurer, and Proctor were present. They sought the cooperation of the student leaders in resuming academic activities across the university.
The first session of the meeting was attended by the leadership of Chhatrashibir, Jubo Andolan, and the Democratic Student Council.
Shadik Kayem, president of the DU unit of Chhatrashibir, commented, “We do not consider the decision to ban student politics to be a wise one. Politics should not be banned but rather reformed. We believe politics should continue on campus with democratic participation.
However, we reject any form of politics that forces people into participation in a fascist manner.”
When asked about the key points of the discussion, Kayem added, “We have demanded the immediate holding of DU Central Student Union (DUCSU) elections and called for the dissolution of the syndicate, which is dominated by supporters of the fascists.”
Sajidul Islam, convener of the Student Council, said, “We raised concerns about the limitations of the university’s 1973 ordinances and the DUCSU election. Banning politics is not the right solution; we need good politics.”
Commenting on Chhatrashibir’s involvement in the meeting, he added, “I am unsure how a banned student organisation, particularly one like Chhatrashibir which is prohibited by the university’s Poribesh Songsod, was invited to this discussion.”
In a later session, JCD General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon remarked that restarting academic activities is now the university’s most urgent priority. “The administration invited us primarily to discuss the matter and requested our support.”
“We demanded a return to fair politics on campus and the dissolution of the University Syndicate Committee, which we believe consists of fascist allies. However, contrary to some reports, there was no decision made on Thursday regarding student politics. The meeting was purely a discussion. Some individuals, aligned with the Awami League, provided misleading information to journalists,” Shipon added when asked about the outcome of the meeting.
Following the discussions, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan stated, “An official statement on the future of student politics will be provided by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha. We also addressed the matter of the DUCSU election. However, our main priority at this time is to restart academic activities, and we urge everyone to cooperate in this effort. That was the primary reason for calling this meeting.”