DU Correspondent :
Aditi Islam, an AGS candidate from the ‘Aparajeyo 71-Admyo 24′ Parishad, a panel of several left-wing student organizations, has questioned the decision to deploy the army around the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections-2025.
In a post on social media site Facebook on Wednesday midnight, he described the decision as anti-autocratic and undemocratic.
Aditi wrote, “The administration says that soldiers will be in ‘striking positions’ at seven points of entry. The question is, who is this position to hit? This decision will alarm the electoral environment and discourage voters, especially non-resident students.”
He mentioned that in the past, there have been incidents of the army or paramilitary forces entering the campus and insulting students and teachers. In August 2007, after students and teachers were insulted at Jagannath Hall, the army had to leave the campus in the face of protests. He also recalled the recent attack on DU students at a concert and the incident of BGB entering and firing tear gas shells on July 17.
According to Aditi, the deployment of the army is clearly revealing the administration’s insecurity. She said, “It is the administration’s responsibility to provide security on election day. If necessary, it can increase its own manpower, seek help from the Election Commission, or deploy the police. But deploying the army is not logical in any way.”
He called for the immediate withdrawal of the decision to deploy the army, saying, “The security of the elections must be ensured with the university’s own skilled manpower.”
Meanwhile, Aditi’s Facebook post was also shared by Enamul Hasan Anoy, a GS candidate for the ‘Invincible 71-Invincible 24’ Parishad, and written in English as The Wind of August.
Steel blowing!!!
It is worth noting that earlier, the Dhaka University administration had held a meeting with all VP, GS and AGS candidates and urged them to abide by the election code of conduct and protect the overall environment. However, since the decision to deploy the army was made public, there have been mixed reactions among Dhaka University students.
