No atmosphere for Cucsu polls: authorities
Students say administration doesn't want the platform
Amid the ongoing demand for CU Central Students' Union (Cucsu) election, Chittagong University authorities have said there is no congenial atmosphere on the campus to hold the polls.
With Ducsu polls scheduled for March 11, various CU student organisations have been demonstrating over the last couple of months, but the authorities are yet to pay any heed.
Refuting the CU authorities' claim, students said the atmosphere will be created automatically, once the administration “really” wants to hold the election.
Drishon Pradip Chakma, president of CU Chhatra Union unit, alleged, “At present, best atmosphere is prevailing on the campus to hold Cucsu polls. They [authorities] don't want to hold it as the elected body will remain alert to ensure students' interests.”
Abid Khondokar, president of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front unit, said, “The authorities are showing reluctance to arrange the polls, fearing a strong student voice.”
Fazle Rabbi Sujan, former general secretary of dissolved BCL unit, and Shahidul Islam, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal unit, echoed the opinions.
While talking to The Daily Star, Vice Chancellor Prof Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury on Friday said political situation at CU differs from that at Dhaka University. There is coexistence among student bodies at DU, but “here [CU], they fight among each other on a regular basis”, he said.
“If they [student bodies] really want Cucsu election, they will have to come to an agreement that they will not hamper academic atmosphere,” the VC said. “We don't want any violence centring polls.”
“If the student bodies assure us in a judicial stamp paper in front of a magistrate that they will refrain from violence and untoward incidents centring Cucsu election, we will then seek approval and suggestion from the president and prime minister for the election,” he added.
When asked if they will arrange any dialogue in this regard, he said they are closely monitoring the upcoming Ducsu election and further decisions will be taken after the polls.
The student bodies, however, said they will comply with the VC's demands but the authorities will have to show some kind of initiative first to hold Cucsu polls.
They also said it is responsibility of the university administration to ensure safety of students.