Multiple panels and independent candidates have alleged that an attempt is being made to sabotage the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election due to the “influence of evil forces”.
Top leaders of student organisations have alleged that a group is conspiring to create an unstable environment across the country.
The High Court stayed the process of the Ducsu election scheduled for September 9 and the final voter list activities until October 21.
After this decision, students from the halls of Dhaka University began gathering in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence with processions.
Subsequently, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, Justice Farah Mahbub, stayed the order in response to an appeal filed by the Dhaka University authorities seeking a stay on the High Court’s order.
After news of the stay on the Ducsu election spread following the writ petition, thousands of students from the university halls held a protest march and gathered in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. They dispersed after the court’s decision was stayed.
However, the candidates have held multiple press briefings alleging an attempt to sabotage the Ducsu election.
Umama Fatema, VP candidate of the Independent Student Unity Panel, said, “Those who tried to heat up Chittagong University and Bangladesh Agricultural University are the same ones trying to heat up Dhaka University.”
She said, “This is part of a conspiracy to question the entire election; this writ petition was filed at the last moment.”
She added, “Ducsu is an internal election of Dhaka University; no national political interference is desirable for us. This is an attempt to drag Ducsu from the students towards a national election.”
She argued, “Dhaka University is an autonomous institution; what will happen within the Ducsu election, how it will be processed, is an internal decision of Dhaka University. Dragging the High Court into this is a direct betrayal of Ducsu.”
Abdul Islam Khan, VP candidate of the Chhatra Dal-supported panel in the Ducsu election, alleged, “The Dhaka University administration and election commission are going to hold an election where they have left loopholes to postpone the election.”
He said, “SM Farhad, who was the Joint Secretary of the Social Welfare Institute of Chhatra League, did not resign before the movement, nor did he resign after the movement. A left alliance leader has filed a writ in the High Court to challenge giving legitimacy to an identified Chhatra League leader in Ducsu. The High Court has stayed the election based on the grounds of her writ.”
He said, “You have left a loophole by canceling the candidacy of other Chhatra League leaders under the same criteria while keeping Farhad’s candidacy. Various evil forces are taking advantage of that today.”
He said, “No one has the ability to sabotage the election; it will be held at the right time.”
Shamim Hossain, an independent VP candidate in the Ducsu election, said, “If the Ducsu election is held, Dhaka University might slip away from the hands of political powerholders. Therefore, some evil force is conspiring, which is still not clearly known.”
Abdul, VP candidate of the Discrimination-Resistant Student Parliament panel, alleged that various mischievous quarters are conspiring to sabotage the Ducsu election.
He said, “The High Court has stayed the entire election centering on a writ petition against one candidate, which is tantamount to depriving students of their rights.” He claims this is part of those evil attempts that had previously kept the Ducsu election stalled.
He warned that if the Ducsu election is not held on schedule, the students will build resistance.
Earlier, BM Fahmida Alam, candidate for the Secretary of Liberation War and Democratic Movement post of the “Invincible 71-Indomitable 24” panel, filed a writ petition challenging the candidacy of SM Farhad.