The Rajshahi University branch of Chhatra Shibir has staged a protest march against the postponement of the election dates for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu), hall unions, and the Senate.
On Monday at 9pm, Chhatra Shibir held a press conference in front of the Rucsu office to react to the election delay, alleging that the Election Commission is repeatedly postponing the election to favour a specific party.
Afterward, they began a protest march from the Rucsu office, circled important roads of the university, and reassembled at Zoha Square.
When asked about the matter, Secretary of the university branch of Chhatra Shibir Mujahid Faisal said, “We do not accept this one-sided decision of the Rucsu Election Commission. The Election Commission is repeatedly making such decisions to benefit one party. We doubt whether the election date they have set for 16 October will remain unchanged. We strongly condemn this monopolistic decision of the Election Commission.”
President of the RU branch of Chhatra Shibir and VP candidate of the “United Students Alliance” supported by Chhatra Shibir in the Rucsu election Mostaqur Rahman Zahid stated, “We reject this decision of the Election Commission. They have changed the Rucsu election date multiple times before. Earlier, they extended the nomination form distribution period to benefit Chhatra Dal. Now, seeing Chhatra Dal’s position, they have changed the election date.”
When contacted, Chief Election Commissioner of Rucsu Professor Dr F Nazrul Islam said, “We had to change the date after considering all aspects. Conducting the Rucsu election requires teachers, officials, and staff. The shutdown due to the dependent quota issue has disrupted work. We hope the Rucsu election will be held in a festive environment on 16 October.”
On 13 September, students confined Vice-Chancellor Professor Main Uddin, Registrar and Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman, and Public Relations Administrator Professor Akhtar Hossain Majumdar over the dependent quota issue. At one point, clashes occurred, leaving the VC, deputy registrar, several teachers, and students injured.
The following day, around 1am, the university administration announced the suspension of admission under the dependent quota due to the protests. The emergency syndicate meeting on Sunday upheld that decision. Dissatisfied with this, the Officers’ Association announced a “complete shutdown” that night.
On Monday, teachers, officers, and staff observed a “complete shutdown” in protest of the reinstatement of the dependent quota and the humiliation of the VC and teachers. No classes or exams were held at the university that day.
Amid this situation, a notice signed by Chief Election Commissioner Dr F Nazrul Islam on Monday night announced that the Rucsu election, originally scheduled for 25 September 25, would now be held on 16 October.
Even before the announcement of the postponement, several panels and independent candidates had demanded on Monday afternoon that the election be held only after ensuring a suitable environment. These included the Sabajoneen Shikkharthi Sangsad, Rucsu for Radical Change, and the panel supported by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, among others.
Around the same time, Chhatra Dal expressed their desire for the Rucsu election to be held after Durga Puja. However, Chhatra Shibir had been demanding the election be held as scheduled.
