VC empowered to hold Ducsu election

Former elected student representatives of Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi universities yesterday demanded that the respective authorities take initiatives to hold the long-due student union elections immediately.

Speaking at an open dialogue, the former leaders of the central students' unions said the democratic atmosphere of the educational institutions has been destroyed due to an absence of the elected unions.

Had the elections been held regularly, the educational atmosphere of the public universities would have been healthier, they added.

Bangladesh Chhatra Union of DU unit organised the programme at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus with a view to raising awareness among the students about the importance of holding the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.

The last Ducsu election was held on June 6, 1990.

Terming the Ducsu polls an important component of the university, Anwar Hossain, a professor of microbiology at DU, said the vice-chancellor can hold the election through exercising his power given in the Dhaka University Order-1973.

 “There is no bar to hold the polls as everyone including the vice-chancellor, authorities concerned and students want it.” He also stressed the need for creating awareness among the students regarding the issue.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim, a former Ducsu vice-president, said, “Some claim that violence will increase if the Ducsu election is held. But it is completely baseless.”

Dr Mostaq Hossain, a former Ducsu general secretary, said Ducsu election is not being held as it has become an “equation of power”.

Sultan Muhammad Monsur, a former Ducsu vice-president, said, “Many students do not know what Ducsu is and what role it had played...”

Democratic environment in the public universities has been destroyed as there is no coexistence of student organisations. Election to central students' unions can ensure that.

DU student Walid Ahsraf, who observed a 15-day hunger strike demanding Ducsu polls, said the students' basic demands could only be realised if Ducsu election is held on a regular basis.

Former vice-president of Rucsu (Rajshahi) Rageeb Ahsan Munna and former vice-president of Cucsu (Chittagong) Shafiquzzaman Hira also spoke.