Despite an official ban on all political activities at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), the student wings of major political parties continue to operate openly on its campus.
Students allege that organisations including Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and the Socialist Student Front have been conducting party activities without facing administrative action, while the university administration’s prohibition remains limited to mere verbal declarations.
Following student protests, the BAU Syndicate imposed a blanket ban on campus politics through an August 28 notification signed by acting registrar Md Helal Uddin. However, within a year, those restrictions have become effectively meaningless.
Multiple students from Fazlul Haq Hall, Ashraful Haq Hall, Shahid Shamsul Haq Hall, and Maulana Bhasani Hall told Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity that Chhatra Dal activists regularly distribute membership forms and recruit cadres in dormitories while attempting to establish dominance.
Political protest marches and showdowns have become routine, signaling a return to traditional campus politics.
While Islami Chhatra Shibir avoids direct rallies, it conducts da’wah activities, hosts food programs, and recruits members under religious pretexts like Qur’an distributions and iftar mahfils, their presence complemented by the sight of campus walls which bear the organisation’s graffiti.
Left-leaning groups including the Socialist Student Front have been most adamant in defying the ban, being the first to hold public rallies post-prohibition and currently campaigning for student union elections under party banners.
A leader of the movement to ban student politics on campus, speaking anonymously, stated: “General students never wanted partisan politics. We demand genuine representatives, not party puppets.”
Chhatra Dal’s BAU Secretary Md Shafiqul Islam Shafiq countered by saying, “We oppose blanket bans. Healthy political practice should continue,” while alleging administrative bias.
Chhatra Shibir President Md Fakhrul Islam countered said, “If a ban is put in place, it must be applied equally to everyone.” Socialist Student Front President Sanjay Roy demanded “ending repressive measures and ensuring democratic space.”
Vice-Chancellor Prof AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan expressed frustration regarding the situation and the blatant flouting of the ban, stating: “The Syndicate’s ban stands firm.”