Four months after winning the Ducsu election on promises to address a range of student concerns, leaders elected from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel are facing accusations of being more active in Jamaat-e-Islami programmes than on campus.
The allegations centre on Ducsu vice-president Abu Shadik Kayem and several other leaders, who students allege have prioritised Jamaat’s political campaigning over campus affairs.
Other Ducsu office-bearers have also been seen at Jamaat events, including transport secretary Asif Abdullah and executive member Sarba Mitra Chakma.
On Wednesday, Ducsu organised an immediate protest march following the death of a Jamaat leader in clashes between BNP and Jamaat activists in Sherpur. The late-night procession, led by Shadik Kayem, included slogans targeting BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman.
The following day, Shadik Kayem, who is also the publication secretary of Shibir’s central committee, was seen in Sylhet’s Chowhatta area campaigning for a “Yes” vote at a rally organised by the United Students’ Alliance.
He attended similar gatherings in Noakhali and Cumilla on Friday. The Jamaat-led alliance is actively campaigning in favour of a “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum.
Earlier, Shadik Kayem took part in public meetings and street rallies backing Jamaat candidates in Bogura-4 and Thakurgaon-3 constituencies. On 21 November, he called for votes during a Jamaat-organised rally at Jhikargacha BM High School in Jashore. He has also sought support for Jamaat candidates in Khagrachhari and Sunamganj-2.
Dhaka University students allege that Ducsu leaders are showing greater interest in national politics than campus issues.
Sabbir Ahmed Usmani, a second-year student at the university, said Ducsu is an elected body meant to represent all students, not only members of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
“Even though they are representatives of the entire student body, taking part in campaigning for a specific political party is completely unlawful,” he said. “It amounts to a betrayal of students and contradicts the promises made during the election.”
He warned that if elected representatives work to advance the agenda of a particular political party, the university could once again face the kind of political influence it experienced during previous governments.
Biplobi Chhatra Moitri Dhaka University unit convener Nuzia Hasin Rasha told TIMES that a review of Ducsu activities over the past four months shows that a large part has been confined to speeches and self-promotion, rather than meaningful engagement with student issues.
TIMES of Bangladesh made several attempts to contact Shadik Kayem by phone for comment on the allegations, but he could not be reached.
In response to the allegations, Ducsu executive member Md Shahinur Rahman acknowledged that he has himself taken part in Jamaat’s election campaign.
Asked why an elected student representative was involved in campaigning for a specific political party at a university hall, he told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Even though I am an elected representative, I have my own political agency, which I cannot ignore.”
He said his participation in campaigning had not harmed students’ interests and described the matter as a “personal” issue.
However, he added that if anyone were found to be neglecting student welfare and engaging only in election campaigning, the issue would be discussed within Ducsu.
The Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel won 23 of the 28 Ducsu posts in the last election.
Ducsu: Promises, claims, and reality
Students point out that the Shibir-backed panel’s manifesto prioritised full residential accommodation, a safe and women-friendly campus, and the introduction of hygienic food services. However, there has been no clear progress on these fronts, fuelling growing frustration.
Ducsu leaders have recently highlighted the construction of a 1,500-seat women’s hall as one of their key achievements. However, information from the university’s public relations office shows that the project was announced on 5 January last year, before the Ducsu election took place.
Similar questions have been raised over broader campus infrastructure projects. Ducsu claims it is jointly working with the administration to implement a Tk2,800 crore development plan and has secured consent to lay foundation stones for five halls. Yet the ECNEC approved the project on 30 July last year, again before the Ducsu election.
Surya Sen Hall Chhatra Dal member secretary Abidur Rahman Mishu told TIMES that Ducsu’s four-month activity report offers little beyond a repetition of routine administrative records.
Nazimus Sakib, a second-year student, said Ducsu is claiming credit for a budget that was approved long before ballot papers were even printed.
Concerns have also been raised over food quality in residential halls. Ducsu leaders say they have organised meetings with the Ministry of Food and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh to improve standards and reduce prices, and that a process is under way to supply subsidised goods.
Students, however, allege that no effective change has been seen even after four months.
Addressing the issue, Ducsu common room, reading room and cafeteria affairs editor Umme Salma said she primarily oversees canteens and cafeterias in academic areas. She added that hall parliament representatives do not want Ducsu to intervene in hall-specific matters.
There are also complaints of inaction on women’s safety and mobility. Informal restrictions on movement between halls remain in place. Ducsu says it has met representatives of women’s halls to ease the restrictions, but no final decision has yet been taken.
Meanwhile, Ducsu has claimed credit for forming investigation, anti-bullying and anti-ragging committees to prevent sexual harassment. University records, however, show these committees were reconstituted on 26 June last year, before the Ducsu election.
Responding to the allegations, Ducsu general secretary SM Farhad told TIMES that while many projects were initiated by the university administration, Ducsu played an active advocacy role.
He said Ducsu engaged with multiple offices to push implementation forward. He also alleged that a “syndicate” within the university could have stalled approval processes, and claimed that without Ducsu’s involvement, some initiatives might not have progressed.
