After a day of drama in court, the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election remains on course to be held on September 9. The court had given a verdict to postpone the election. In response, students and leaders-activists of various organizations of Dhaka University held protests over the matter.
Eventually, based on a petition by lawyer Shishir Manir, the Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court suspended the High Court’s order. As a result, there is no longer any obstacle to holding the DUCSU election on September 9.
As soon as the news of the election postponement had come to light, students from various dormitories brought out protest processions. They chanted slogans like “DUCSU is my right, who has the power to stop it”; “1-2-3-4, DUCSU is my right”, etc.
Reacting to the situation, the ‘Oikyoboddho Shikkarti Jhot’, the panel backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, held an immediate press conference. After that, they held a protest march around the campus and a rally at the VC Chattar.
DUCSU GS candidate SM Farhad from Shibir's panel said "Students' right, DUCSU, will happen on the 9th September. All conspiracies will be foiled."
He added, “This verdict should not have been to postpone DUCSU. When you don't give a specific ruling — whether SM Farhad can run or not — and instead move toward cancelling DUCSU, then it must be understood that the one who filed the writ had prepared in advance; the lawyer, the patroniser of the matter — all are part of this conspiracy.”
Farhad further said, “I urge students that those involved with this writ, those not giving a to-the-point verdict but heading directly to sabotage DUCSU — we will mark them, and on the 9th September, students will show them the red card.”
VP candidate Shadik Kayem said, “A group has tried to create instability on different campuses. They are plotting to shut down all student unions including DUCSU. We must be alert. Those who are conspiring must be resisted. DUCSU elections — the dream of students — will take place on time.”
The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also held a protest march around the campus and a rally in front of Aparajeyo Bangla.
At the rally, VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel Abidul Islam Khan said, “We want to make it clear — DUCSU election will be held on the 9th September.”
Addressing the DU administration and DUCSU Election Commission, he said, “You’ve arranged an election that left various loopholes to stop it.”
About the writ filed in the High Court by the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary candidate from Aparajeyo 71, Odommo 24 panel, Fahmida Alam, challenging SM Farhad’s candidacy, he said, “Farhad never resigned from his post in Chhatra League before or after August 5. Even though all Chhatra League post-holders have been disqualified, he’s being kept. You (DU administration) are playing a joke?”
“For the DUCSU writ, this university administration appointed Shishir Manir as lawyer. This administration stands on our blood. You were not placed here to represent any political party.”
He added, “We’ve submitted repeated complaints about DUCSU’s code of conduct, but the Election Commission took no steps. Everyone be warned. Maintain neutrality.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Kader, VP candidate from the ‘Boishommo Birodhi Shikkarti Sangsad’ panel backed by Bangladesh Ganatantrick Chhatra Sangsad, said, “The decision to hold DUCSU should come from Dhaka University, not the High Court.” He said this at an emergency press conference in front of the DUCSU building.
He said, “The DUCSU election was supposed to happen right after August 5, but even after nearly a year, it didn’t. Finally, the administration announced September 9. But still, the conspiracy to derail DUCSU hasn’t ended. Today’s conspiracy — students have responded by showing the red card.”
He further said, “Just to cancel one person’s candidacy, the entire DUCSU was tried to be sabotaged through the writ. What we feared is happening. Various mechanisms were introduced to demotivate students regarding DUCSU.”
DMP commissioner warns against any trouble to disrupt DUCSU polls
In addition, a press conference was held by the ‘Sotontra Shikkarti Oikkyo’ panel. VP candidate Umama Fatema from the panel said, “Over the past few days, campuses have been turning unstable. After incidents at Chittagong University and Agricultural University, today there was a declaration to stop DUCSU elections. We believe this is part of the same series of conspiracies.”
She said, “In recent days, students from various universities were collecting nomination papers, announcing panels, and the DUCSU election was nearing. A hopeful democratic environment was prevailing among students across the country.”
“Yesterday, Chittagong University and Agricultural University were heated up. And today, with the declaration of election suspension, an attempt was made to heat up DU. From this, we understand — a certain force is trying in various ways to destabilize campuses. Those behind the CU incident are the same ones trying to sabotage DUCSU,” said Umama.