Having won over students with an appealing 36-point manifesto in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) elections, Islami Chhatra Shibir now faces intense scrutiny over unfulfilled pledges and actions exceeding union authority, prompting the university to investigate alleged constitutional breaches.
Towards the close of its tenure, the Shibir-run Ducsu executed several initiatives beyond its authority, triggering the formation of two investigative committees by the university.
Such unsanctioned actions include constructing a memorial without administrative approval, conducting eviction drives on and around campus, assaulting hawkers, displaying images of controversial figures, launching an unauthorised teacher-evaluation website, and installing air-conditioning units in residential halls and the central mosque despite insufficient electrical infrastructure.
The university administration has clearly informed Ducsu stressed that parallel governance will not be tolerated, warning that strict disciplinary measures await those violating institutional rules.
Speaking to TIMES, Professor Tariq Manzoor of the Department of Bangla said, “Prior to the election, Ducsu leaders made promises beyond their mandate. Following their victory, they undertook activities well outside their jurisdiction. Student union operations have clearly drifted from the university’s legal and administrative framework.”
Ducsu’s financial governance has also drawn equal criticism. Ducsu leaders claim to have expended over 100 times their university allocation, yet proper accounting procedures were bypassed.
Ducsu treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury expressed total unawareness of these external funds and expenditures.
Under Ducsu’s constitution, the treasurer retains sole responsibility for supervising funds, approving expenditures, ensuring budget compliance, and maintaining audit trails. Jahangir confirmed to TIMES that Ducsu had failed to notify him of any external donations received or projects undertaken.
What is Ducsu’s actual role?
Ducsu’s constitution outlines nine primary functions, centered on protecting and safeguarding student rights. Its core responsibilities include supervising common rooms and indoor games, supplying daily periodicals, publishing an annual journal, and, subject to executive committee approval and the president’s consent, issuing other publications.
Additionally, the union is mandated to organise regular debates, cultural events, public lectures, and social gatherings.
It must conduct annual campus competitions in public speaking, recitation, essay writing, and indoor games, which may be expanded to include external institutions. Sending delegates to or hosting inter-university conferences and debate tournaments also falls within its constitutional scope.
Finally, Ducsu is tasked with fostering social service through welfare lectures, meetings, and exhibitions under the leadership of its president and with the vice-chancellor’s explicit approval.
However, students express deep frustration over the union’s operational drift.
Arif Hossain, a student of Mass Communication and Journalism Department, told TIMES, “Ducsu has failed to perform its designated duties, becoming entangled in politically motivated, controversial activities instead. Staging frequent press conferences on political matters and acting under ideological influences fall completely outside its remit.”
Echoing these concerns, Shahriar Kabir, a Population Sciences student, noted, “Ducsu has shown no meaningful interest in developing students into responsible citizens or cultivating genuine leadership qualities among them.”
Activities that eclipsed constitutional mandate
In an effort to honour the July mass uprising, the Dhaka University administration laid the foundation stone for the official ‘July Memorial’ at Mall Chattar. However, Ducsu unilaterally erected an unsanctioned monument titled ‘Nirbhik July’ near the Arts Building without administrative clearance.
Under the Dhaka University Ordinance, all Ducsu decisions remain strictly subject to directives from the vice-chancellor.
When questioned, Ducsu General Secretary SM Farhad defended the move, saying, “We raised the memorial project across various meetings, and the vice-chancellor never halted our progress. Had specific procedures applied, the administration should have briefed us.”
Further controversy emerged at the Ducsu Sangrahashala following the exhibition of portraits depicting Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Abdul Malek, a leader of Islami Chhatra Sangha, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami that opposed Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Professor Tariq Manzoor condemned the display as a clear policy violation, noting, “The Ducsu constitution explicitly mandates that all activities must uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and subsequent democratic movements. It offers no scope to advance partisan agendas within national politics.”
Near the end of its term, Ducsu committed another serious breach by launching an unauthorised website to evaluate faculty members.
University officials deemed the platform illegal, noting that institutional policies for teacher evaluations already exist and that publishing personal details without consent constitutes a punishable offence. SM Farhad claimed the initiative followed administrative harassment and delays, adding that Ducsu remains willing to hand over or shut down the portal if the university adopts the system.
Ducsu procured numerous air conditioning units for the central mosque and hall reading rooms, despite lacking the high-capacity electrical infrastructure required to power them without severe budget inflation. Consequently, the units remain non-operational.
Ducsu leaders also claimed to have allocated nearly Tk3 crore toward renovating the historical Musa Khan Mosque near Curzon Hall.
Meanwhile, key executive members faced sharp criticism over personal and political overreach. Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem drew scrutiny for prioritising national politics after announcing his candidacy for the Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral race. Sarbamitra Chakma, a Ducsu member elected from the Shibir’s panel, provoked outrage after leading attacks on small traders near Suhrawardy Udyan and forcing outsiders at the central playground to perform humiliating physical punishments.
Similarly, Social Service Secretary AB Zubair faced widespread condemnation after video footage surfaced showing him physically humiliating Sociology Professor AKM Jamal Uddin, alongside conducting unsanctioned ‘operations’ off-campus.
Additionally, Literature and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad faced backlash for organising a campus concert sponsored by a tobacco company.
Addressing these widespread infractions, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane confirmed that formal investigations are underway. “The administration has constituted a probe committee under my convenorship to examine these jurisdictional breaches,” he told TIMES. “A parallel committee, headed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Abdus Salam, is investigating academic and teacher-related grievances. Proceedings are actively progress.”
Where is the transparency in spending?
At a press conference last on 17 September, Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem revealed that while the union received just Tk35 lakh in university allocation, total expenditure reached between Tk35 crore and Tk40 crore, with the deficit covered by external donations.
Kayem claimed Tk3 crore was spent modernising the Martyred Intellectual Dr Mohammad Mortaza Medical Centre, Tk3.5 crore renovating the central mosque, and Tk65 lakh constructing a female students’ gymnasium. A further Tk32 lakh went towards hall cleanliness and vector control.
Additionally, Tk7.51 crore was raised for vulnerable hall repairs, while a Tk2 crore Bangladesh Cricket Board cheque for sports facility upgrades was transferred to the university administration.
Pressed on why Ducsu treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was not informed about the transactions, Ducsu executive member Md Shahinur Rahman offered a brief explanation. “Sponsors paid equipment vendors directly,” he said.
“We merely acted as intermediaries. Funds flowed straight from benefactors to vendors or recipients,” he said adding that an internal audit of the official Tk35 lakh fund was complete, promising an external audit report within days.
