Rajshahi University’s Chhatra Dal unit vandalised the office of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) Treasurer and locked its gate on Saturday morning during a sit-in demanding the inclusion of first-year students in the voter list for the 2024-25 academic session.
The incident occurred around 10:15am on August 31, as nomination papers were being distributed.
Witnesses said Chhatra Dal activists began their protest at 9am in front of the Treasurer’s office.
When nomination paper distribution started at 10am, some protesters entered the office, broke a plastic chair on the veranda, overturned a table used by the returning officers, and then locked the office gate, halting the process.
During the protest, the activists chanted slogans demanding first-year students’ voting rights and accusing authorities of exclusion. Slogans included “First-year voting rights must be given,” and “RUCSU is my right, who are you to exclude me.”
Sultan Ahmed Rahi, president of the Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal, denied vandalism, stating the table was merely moved and affirmed the sit-in would continue until their demands were met.
The sit-in was ongoing as of 11am, disrupting the nomination process and raising concerns over election preparations.
