Ahead of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) election, Islami Chhatra Shibir sought votes by making a number of pledges. Now, as the union’s tenure draws to a close, the organisation, having failed to fulfil those commitments, is calling on the university administration to implement them.
With the tenure of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) nearing its end, the university unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir has called on the administration to fulfil pledges made by its panel ahead of last year’s election.
At a press conference at the university’s Transport Market on Tuesday afternoon, Shibir’s university unit president Mujahid Faisal placed the demands.
He called for a specific and realistic roadmap to ensure accommodation for all students, with the plan to be implemented quickly.
He also demanded the construction of more residential halls, an increase in seats in existing halls and improvements in accommodation facilities. For students who do not get seats in the halls, he proposed introducing a housing allowance.
Providing accommodation for all students and introducing housing allowances until that goal is achieved were among the written pledges of the Shibir-backed panel ahead of the Rucsu election. However, no progress has been made on the commitments as the union’s tenure nears its end.
Faisal also called for the university medical centre to be upgraded into a fully equipped modern healthcare facility, with adequate doctors, nurses and other staff. He demanded round-the-clock medical services, emergency treatment, diagnostic facilities and adequate supplies of essential medicines.
The organisation also called for the schedule for the next Rucsu election to be announced soon and urged the authorities to ensure an impartial, credible and participatory environment for the polls.
After the press conference, Shibir submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim received it on behalf of the vice-chancellor.
Asked about Rucsu General Secretary Salauddin Ammar, Faisal said Ammar was not elected from the Shibir-backed panel.
“Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir will take responsibility for all activities of those elected from our panel,” he said.
In last year’s Rucsu election, the Shibir-backed panel won overwhelmingly, while Ammar was elected from an independent panel. Although there have been reports of his association with Shibir, he does not hold any position in the organisation.
