Ducsu Polls: Leftist alliances announce 11-point declaration

Ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and hall union polls, two leftist alliances -- Pragatisheel Chhatra Jote and Samrajjobad Birodhi Chhatra Oikya -- yesterday presented an 11-point declaration to form greater consensus.

The alliances said that they will form a panel comprising of those who extend support to the declaration.

Leaders of the two alliances came up with the decision and also placed their declaration as a base of the consensus at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen on campus.

Their 11 points include: creating a democratic campus environment free from terrorism, occupation, administrative autocracy; allotment of seats in dormitories based on merit; putting a stop to the tortuous practices of keeping students in “gono room” and “guest room”; ensuring freedom of expression and coexistence of all political parties; shutting down all commercial courses; and increasing budget allocation in education and research sectors.

While reading out a statement, convener of Progatisheel Chhatra Jote, Ikbal Kabir alleged that the administration has been ignoring their demands.

They also reiterated their earlier demands of setting up polling centres at academic buildings instead of halls, and allowing them to campaign inside classrooms.

Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders yesterday demanded “meaningful democratic environment” on the campus.

Though they have remained adamant on their demand of deferring the polls by three months, the JCD leaders said their main demands include setting up polling centres at academic buildings to ensure democratic environment on campus.

Earlier, JCD leaders went to Madhur canteen for the third consecutive day. A group of JCD men led by its DU unit president Al Mehedi Talukder entered the canteen at around 12pm and stayed there for two hours.

“We want stable coexistence. We also want that our activists get to stay in dormitories. The polling centres should be set up outside halls, election-related committees should be reformed, and inclusion of neutral teachers in those committees should be ensured,” said JCD central general secretary Akramul Hasan.  

Ducsu polls are scheduled to be held on March 11. The polls were last held in 1990.