Students of Jagannath University had long awaited the revival of the university’s central students’ union, known as JnUCSU.
Although the election was held on 6 January, students say the union has shown little visible student-friendly progress even after four months in office.
Concerns are growing among students and leaders of various active student organisations over the sincerity of the representatives and their commitment to implementing election promises.
Students allege that slow progress in fulfilling campaign pledges, combined with internal divisions, has prevented the union from playing an effective role.
Visible disagreements among representatives aligned with Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and independent candidates have shifted focus away from implementing the union’s manifesto toward what many describe as symbolic political activity.
As a result, confidence in the union is declining, according to students and observers.
Activities over four months
Over the past four months, JnUCSU has undertaken several initiatives, including the launch of the bus tracking app “JnU Express,” a global alumni network, an online results system, a current affairs corner at the central library, introduction of DLR services at the Faculty of Law, free IELTS and graphic design courses, an international education fair, and a Memorandum of Understanding with Brilliant Brains Valley.
The union also organised human chains and protest programmes on several national and campus-related issues. Starlink internet service was installed experimentally on campus, though students complained about poor speed and functionality, prompting the union to plan the installation of new routers.
However, students argue that compared to these initiatives, there has been little visible progress regarding fundamental concerns such as the accommodation crisis, supplementary scholarships, food quality and prices at the cafeteria, advancement of the second campus, or reliable high-speed internet facilities promised in the manifesto.
Ariful Islam, a student of the History Department, said four months was enough time to demonstrate meaningful progress.
“They still have not implemented many of their promises. Their efforts to realise the election manifesto are also moving very slowly,” he said.
Tanzim Hossain of the Department of Public Administration said students were losing confidence in the union.
“The JnUCSU students expected has largely failed. Representatives who won with huge expectations are gradually losing students’ trust. Important issues such as accommodation facilities are no longer receiving the priority they deserve,” he said.
Responding to criticism, JnUCSU General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif said it was unrealistic to expect all campus problems to be solved within a year.
“If the government and university administration were fully cooperative, some of these goals would be achievable. But JnUCSU does not always receive that support,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
“At the end of the term, students themselves will decide how successful or unsuccessful we were.”
Divisions between Chhatra Dal and Shibir
Political divisions within the students’ union have become increasingly visible over both national and campus issues. Representatives are often split into factions aligned with Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Dal, and independent groups.
Rival statements, separate press releases on official pads, and even competing protest programmes have emerged.
Four elected representatives from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel separately issued statements protesting what they described as the dominance of the 16 representatives aligned with Chhatra Shibir.
On 25 April, JnUCSU organised protests following attacks on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union leaders.
The following day, four representatives elected from the Chhatra Dal panel — Library and Seminar Secretary Riasal Rakib, Cultural and Literary Secretary Takrim Ahmed, Transport Secretary Mahid Hasan, and Executive Member Sadman Samya — held a press conference accusing JnUCSU of being used for Shibir’s organisational agenda.
Limon Islam, a Philosophy Department student, warned that such divisions would ultimately harm ordinary students.
“JnUCSU should work above political affiliations and ideological differences. Only then can a democratic environment be maintained,” he said.
Independent executive member Zahid Hasan acknowledged the union’s shortcomings but said it was too early to deliver a final verdict.
“We can better evaluate success or failure after another eight months. Due to vacations and the national election, several planned activities could not be completed,” he said. “JnUCSU is still weak in policymaking. All members, including myself, need to become more active on student-related issues.”
Takrim Mia, elected Cultural and Literary Secretary from the Chhatra Dal-backed “Oikyoboddho Jobian” panel, said the original vision behind JnUCSU was not being fulfilled.
“The division exists because of numbers. Representatives aligned with Shibir are in the majority, so decisions are often imposed unilaterally through JnUCSU. The opinions of the remaining five members carry little weight,” he said.
Meanwhile, General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif dismissed claims of division within the union. “When many people work together, differences of opinion are natural. But there is no scope for division within JnUCSU because everyone ultimately wants to work for students,” he said.
White panel teachers criticise JnUCSU
On 6 May, the BNP-aligned teachers’ organisation “Shada Dal” issued a statement alleging that JnUCSU activities were destabilising the university environment.
The group accused the union of pursuing its own agenda through activities inconsistent with a healthy academic atmosphere. The statement also criticised comments made on social media regarding the vice-chancellor, claiming such remarks were damaging his image and morale.
In response, JnUCSU issued a counterstatement on 7 May, accusing the teachers’ group of over-politicising the issue.
The union said that as a democratically elected representative body chosen directly by students, JnUCSU had consistently played a constructive role regarding students’ rights, campus problems, and university interests. It further alleged that the Shada Dal statement indirectly sought to restrict students’ freedom of expression.
Student leaders voice frustration
Leaders of several student organisations believe JnUCSU has failed to uphold the mandate students gave it during the election.
They argue that the union has not effectively mobilised students over administrative mismanagement or infrastructural crises. Some also accuse representatives of prioritising national political agendas over campus issues.
Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of the university unit of Chhatra Dal, said the union had failed to meet students’ expectations.
“JnUCSU was supposed to work beyond party lines. But because many representatives are affiliated with a specific organisation, they have failed to perform the union’s fundamental responsibilities,” he said.
Ivan Tahsiv, president of the Socialist Students’ Front, said a students’ union’s primary role was to organise movements around student crises and demands.
“In that sense, JnUCSU has failed. But that does not mean we oppose holding JnUCSU elections every year. Through this process, capable representatives may eventually emerge,” he said.
Former president of the Students’ Rights Council AKM Rakib said there had been no major visible change since the election.
“The initiatives they have taken are commendable. But they need to focus more on fundamental issues like accommodation, supplementary scholarships, and cafeteria standards,” he said.
Faisal Murad, convener of Chhatra Shakti, also criticised the union for failing to become truly inclusive.
“Those elected from party panels are largely working for party purposes. As a result, JnUCSU has not become as effective or meaningful as students had hoped,” he said.
