DUCSU creates no leader in 27 years

Elections to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) played a crucial role in the historic movements of independence and democracy in the country. However, these elections haven’t been held in the past 27 years due to reluctance of certain quarters.

Apparently, all concerned want the DUCSU election to be held, but the government, the university administration and the two major students' organisations-Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Awami League (AL), and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), evaded holding the election.

DUCSU, considered the most prestigious elected student union in the country, had once contributed to creating high profile student leaders who later emerged as national political leaders. But no DUCSU election was held after restoration of the democratic system in 1991.

During the long span of 27 years, neither the students nor the teachers voiced the demand for these elections strongly.

However, the elections to all other organisations of the university including teachers' representatives at the senate, registered graduates' members, syndicate members and dean were held timely.

Several left leaning students' organisations at the university including Chhatra Union, Chhatra Federation and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front have been demanding the election. These organisations held an open discussion on 10 August to this end.

BCL did not join the discussion and, allegedly, chased out the JCD leaders who had turned up.

During the 50th convocation of the university on 4 March, the president Md Abdul Hamid said, "The DUCSU election is a must. There will be a vacuum of leaders in the future if the election is not held."

The new vice chancellor Md. Akhtaruzzaman made called upon the president on Thursday, where the issue of DUCSU election came up.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Akhtaruzzaman said, "During the last convocation, the president called for the DUCSU election. I drew his attention to this and he reiterated his call, taking security issues into due consideration."

The university authorities apprehend that the law and order situation may deteriorate if the election is held.

After 1990, BNP came to power twice, but the Chhatra Dal had no urge for the election. Then JCD also had no interest in the election. It said, there is no environment for the election.

Similarly, AL was in power for thrice, but BCL did not show interest for the DUCSU election. Rather the leaders of BCL claimed they there in place of DUCSU.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, president of the Dhaka University unit of BCL Abid Al Hasan said, "We have solved the problems of food and transport for the students. We are playing the role of DUCSU."

"BCL always wants election. But it is not BCL’s duty to organise it. If the administration organises it, BCL will join it," he added.

Emeritus professor at the university Serajul Islam Choudhury said, "DUCSU election is not held as the government does not want it. The government apprehends that the students' opinion may not go in their favour."

According to the university administration, DUCSU was established in 1924. Till 1953, DUCSU VPs were selected. The first DUCSU election was held in 1953. DUCSU elections were held for seven times between 1971 and 1990.

According to section 20 of the DU Ordinance 1973, out of 105 senate members, there will be 5 members from DUCSU.

During the government of Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan, DUCSU elections were held regularly. Elections were not held in 1965-66 and 1969-70. After the independence in 1971, during the rule of Bangabandhu, the DUCSU election was held first in 1972-73. The election was arranged in 1973-74, but it was foiled.

DUCSU elections were held twice during the rule of Ziaur Rahman (1979-80 and 1980-81), once during the rule of Abdus Sattar (1982-83) and twice during the rule of Ershad (1989-90-1990-91). After the fall of autocratic ruler Ershad, the DUCSU election was not held for 27 years.

Two writ petitions were filed with the High Court seeking rules on holding DUCSU election. The university administration did not respond to them. Twenty five students filed a writ petition with the HC on 21 March 2012. The HC issued a rule on 8 April.

Petitioners' lawyer Manzil Murshid said an effort was taken for hearing the rule for last three years. In every attempt, the lawyers of the university sought time. The authorities did not respond to the rule. Mahbubey Alam and AFM Mesbahuddin represented for the university.

Former VP of DUCSU (1989-90) Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed, general secretary Md. Mustak Hossain and a student filed another writ petition with the HC on 16 March last. A hearing was held on the writ on 19 March. After the primary hearing, the court issued a rule on the day.

In the rule, it was wanted to know why an order would not be given to hold DUCSU election timely.

The writ petitioners' lawyer Subrata Chowdhury said, "I did not get the response to the rule. After the vacation of the court, the matter will be placed for hearing."

Deputy registrar of the university legal advice office Farhana Pervin said the writ petitions are being processed.

Six VCs held office in the span of 27 years, but most of them did not try to hold the DUCSU election.

Outgoing VC Arefin Siddique promised to hold the elections after taking charge in 2009, but did not keep his word. In eight and half years, he did not take any steps to hold the election. In the face of students' movement, he said the situation of the university may deteriorate if DUCSU elections were held.

The last DUCSU election was held during the rule of Hussain Mohammad Ershad on 6 June 1990. The committee of DUCSU was dissolved in 1998. The authority declared the election will be held within six months.

At times, the students agitated to press home demands of DUCSU elections. Proposals were formally placed at the senate.

In 2012, general students and leaders of different organisations observed different protest programmes including strikes and demonstrations in a bid to hold elections. The agitators started non-stop programmes under the banner of 'Dhaka University Students' Rights Mancha'.

The demand for DUCSU elections again emerged in the middle of this year. On 29 July, teachers and students scuffled centering election of VC panel without students' representatives. Students under the leadership of left leaning organisations were agitating to press home demand of holding DUCSU election. On 25 September, they gave a memorandum to VC.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, professor Md Akhtaruzzaman said DUCSU is one of the important components for running the university. A decision will be taken after discussing with all stakeholders, he added.

The DUCSU election was supposed to be held on 18 June 1991. Following clashes, late VC Moniruzzaman Miah halted the election.

In 1994 and 1995, VC Emajuddin Ahamed declared schedule for DUCSU. The election was not held due to opposition by BCL. In 1996, VC professor AK Azad Chowdhury declared schedule of DUCSU election.

AK Azad Chowdhury said the election could not be held due to anti-government students' organisations.

In 2005, VC SMA Faiz declared elections would be held in December. Then Chhatra Dal was in favour of election while Chhatra League opposed it.

BCL president Saifur Rahman said, "BCL wants elections to all students' sangsad councils including DUCSU. BCL will talk to Dhaka University VC."

Chhatra Dal president Rajib Ahsan said, "Chhatra Dal is demanding elections to all students' unions. But, before the election, there has to be harmony among all the students' organisations."

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was elected VP of DUCSU in 1968-69.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Tofail said it is unfortunate DUCSU election was not held in last 27 years.

He said that Dhaka University is called the factory of future leaders. Many student leaders from DUCSU became national leaders. Student politics lost its glory as the elections to students' unions in colleges and universities were not held, he lamented.

Tofail Ahmed said, "The election was halted on the excuse that the situation may deteriorate. But, I do not believe that. I think elections to all students' unions of colleges and universities should be held."

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