BCL controls Eden college dormitories, does business

First year students of woman’s Eden college in the capital often face hardship to arrange their accommodations as they are not entitled to get seats in the college dormitories.

Again, families of many of them didn’t want to let their daughters stay in any private student mess or hostel fearing risk of their security.

Capitalising on the situation, a certain quarter has long been doing brisk business of arranging seats of the college dormitories for the first year students.

Students and college officials alleged a section of ruling Bangladesh Awami League’s (AL) student wing Bangladesh

Chhatra League (BCL) is controlling the dormitories of the college and doing brisk business by renting them out to first year students.

They also rent them out to ex-students of the college who just completed their study but stay in the hotel dormitories for more days for finding jobs in the capital.

BCL activists of the college unit charge Tk 10,000 to Tk 30,000 for each of seats.

There are some 3,320 seats at six dormitories of the Eden Mohila College, Dhaka against as much as 35,000 students of it.

Students alleged BCL activists control 74 rooms of Razia Begum Hostel and Bangamata Fazilatunnessa Hostel and these rooms are known as ‘political rooms’.

Around 330 students stay at 22 ‘political rooms’ of Razia Begum Hostel. Around 400 students stay in 52 ‘political rooms’ of Bangamata Fazilatunnessa Hostel. Most of the students stay in these rooms in exchange of money.

It is estimated that BCL leaders earn around Tk 8 million annually.

When contacted, BCL general secretary SM Zakir Hossain denied the allegation of keeping control over the college dormitories, but said only a few BCL leaders are involved in renting out seats of the college dormitories.

“If we get any specific allegation of doing business over seats, we will take organisational steps," he said.

Prothom Alo has recently talked to at least 80 students of the college. They said the ruling party’s student organisation gets the opportunity thanks to the scarcity of seats.

The students also alleged that those who get the seats in exchange of money are forced to join political programmes, like processions and rallies, of the ruling party and its student organisation.

Most of the senior leaders of the college unit of BCL stay in the Razia Begum Hostel. A total of 22 rooms of this five-storied building are under the occupation of BCL.

At least 15 students stay in each of the rooms of this dormitory although the room can accommodate eight students.

BCL controls a total of 52 rooms of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Hostel.

Around 400 students stay in these rooms. Students like to stay in this hostel for uninterrupted gas and lift facilities. A student is to pay between Tk 10,000 and Tk 30,000 to stay in this hostel.

A number of teachers and students alleged that students of the college live in fear as the ruling party student body activists often assault common students.

Sometimes the students are driven out of the hall. The college administration remains silent although students sometimes try to raise their voices.

A student of physics department told Prothom Alo that she paid Tk 15,000 to get a seat at Razia Begum Hostel while a certain student of political science department said she paid Tk 13,000.

A student of Bangamata Fazilatunessa Hostel said she had to pay Tk 24,000 to get a seat in a room having gas connection.

Sufferers said a student is to pay Tk 2,000 per month to stay at the hostels even after completion of their study.

College students and officials said the ruling party student organisation do such business over the seats of the rest four dormitories of the college.

Although second-tier leaders of BCL college unit control such business, money ultimately goes in the hands of senior leaders. Allegations of such business were found against BCL college unit convener Taslima Akhtar, joint conveners

Shanaj Akhtar, Mahbuba Nasrin, Nasima Akhtar and Papia Prya.

When contacted over phone, Taslima Akhtar said, "I don't know what happened in the past. I have unequivocally stated that no business over dormitory seats would be allowed in future."

She went on saying, "I am not involvement in such business and will take organisational steps if specific allegations are made against anyone.”

Joint convener Mahbuba Nasrin said, "We allow students to stay in the dormitories if they come to us with references. Later, we legalise their seats. Those who send students to us may charge money, but they should not charge so much."

Immediate-past organising secretary of the college unit of BCL Rehena Tasneem said, "Everyone does not charge money. Some leaders may take money. Those who are involved in politics and join political programmes are allowed to stay in the political rooms."

When contacted, provost of Razia Begum Hostel Kamrun Nahar declined to make any comment about the matter.

"I am not aware of such information," said provost of Sheikh Fazilatunessa Hostel Shamsun Nahar.

Eden Mahila College principal Shamsun Nahar said, "We’ve no information that college dormitory seats are rented out for money. The hostel administration is controlling the hostels."

Speaking to Prothom Alo, former caretaker government adviser and executive director of Mass Education Campaign Rasheda K Chowdhury said such business over dormitory seats is very ominous.

“No matter whichever party remains in power, their student organisations rein in the college dormitories and the authorities take no step against this malpractice,” she added.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.