From batch representatives to VP, GS: How Shibir rose in DU hall unions
Students said that many batch representatives, who initially presented themselves as “general students,” later contested hall union elections with Shibir backing
Highlight
- Batch reps were chosen via informal Messenger polls
- Many, first seen as "general students," later ran in union polls with Shibir backing
- In at least eight halls, VPs, GSs rose from batch rep roles
- Reps managed canteens, shops, and hall work, gaining admin influence
- Students and teachers said these roles gave some groups an election edge
In a trend similar to the recent Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections, most top posts in the 13 male dormitories were won by candidates backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir. Many of these winners had previously served as "batch representatives" after the fall of Awami League government.
Following the 5 August political changeover last year, 12 of the 13 male dormitories formed committees – batch representative bodies, security committees, or hall reform committees – performing largely similar functions.
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A review of representatives' lists shows that in at least eight halls, the vice president (VP) or general secretary (GS) had previously served as batch representatives. Except for one VP and one GS, all ran with Shibir backing. In one hall, all three top posts – VP, GS, and assistant general secretary (AGS) – were held by former batch representatives supported by Shibir.
Selection of batch representatives
For 15 years, male dormitory seat allocation was controlled by the now-banned Chhatra League, which often barred students with opposing views, sometimes with hall administration support.
After the July uprising, many associated with the previous administration went into hiding, leaving halls largely inactive. Students were elected as representatives to support the new university administration.
This TBS correspondent spoke with batch representatives from four dormitories and 20 students across six halls, who described a largely uniform process for picking representatives.
Batch representatives were selected through polls in batch-based Messenger groups, formed from first-year "gono room", overcrowded hall rooms where many freshers are housed because of the accommodation crisis. Some halls elected five representatives per batch, others two or three.
Tarekul Islam Tarek, VP of Shahidullah Hall and former batch representative, told TBS, "Those with a positive mindset came forward. In our hall, there was no formal election. As seniors, a few of us were vocal; we sat with the juniors and took up the responsibility."
Impact on hall union elections
Students said that many batch representatives, who initially presented themselves as "general students," later contested hall union elections with Shibir backing.
Attempts to reach SM Farhad, president of DU Chhatra Shibir and Ducsu GS, have remained unsuccessful.
Ducsu AGS and DU Chhatra Shibir General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan told The Business Standard that although batch representative elections were not a fully legitimate process, students selected them in the interest of hall management, based on their opinions.
He added that specially those who played the key roles in the movement later became the student representatives.
He added that, at that time, party affiliation was not relevant, and immediately after the uprising, batch representation was still not a major issue. "However, in Ducsu, political identity has always mattered, and by the time the next Ducsu election came a year later, it had become significant."
Abidur Rahman Mishu of the Surja Sen Hall unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal said, "In the name of speeding up hall affairs, students from different political groups were able to practise politics in the halls. For the past year, they presented themselves as non-political, general students. Even in the Ducsu elections, they ran as independent candidates, but their names matched exactly with the list prepared by Shibir."
Prof Kazi Mahbobor Rahman of DU's Political Science Department said, "Students already living in halls had built long-term relationships, which helped them in elections. Those who could not stay in the halls before 5 August and obtained seats afterwards had fewer opportunities to form connections, giving them less advantage during voting."
A hall provost, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, "Since there was no hall union and the administration was inactive immediately after the fall of the Hasina government] , it was necessary. The representatives helped the hall administration and accomplished much work. But as a result, the hall union elections were not held on a level playing field."
Work and influence of reps
Students said batch representatives oversaw canteens, improved food quality, and addressed hall-related issues. They liaised with hall administrations and were involved in developmental projects, limiting opportunities for other students.
On 23 October last year, the Surja Sen Hall administration issued a notice stating that, following a decision at its 26 September 2024 meeting, four committees were formed comprising house tutors and student representatives to speed up and monitor hall activities.
Among them, Azizul Haque, elected as VP, and Md Riazuddin Sakib, elected as AGS in union elections, were placed on the canteen and cafeteria oversight committee, while GS Mokhlesur Rahman Zabi was made a member of the shops oversight committee. All three had been elected to the hall union with support from Shibir.
Azizul Haque said, "We worked on solving food problems, setting price lists for the shops, and doing social work, like taking sick students to the medical centre."
Even after the committees became formally inactive and administration took over two months after the uprising, members continued work for five to six months in halls including Bijoy Ekattor, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman, Sir AF Rahman, Surja Sen, and Kabi Jasimuddin.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall GS Ahmed Al Sabah said, "Since the batch representatives had been working from the start, they later built stronger links with the administration. Teachers and provosts recognised them as representatives, so students also presented their demands through them."
Several batch representatives who later became hall union leaders include Md Mohiuddin (VP) and Asif Imam (GS) in Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Masum Abdullah (GS) in Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, Rafiqul Islam (VP) in Sir AF Rahman Hall, and Ahmed Al Sabah (GS) in Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Other former batch representatives who rose to hall leadership include Khaled Hossain (GS) in Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, Imran Hossain (AGS) in Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Tarekul Islam Tarek (VP) and Ibrahim Khalil (AGS) in Shahidullah Hall, and Khondkar Md Abu Nayeem (VP) in Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall.
Except for Md Mohiuddin and Khaled Hossain, all later received Shibir backing in the hall union elections.
