Leaders from other universities upset as DU dominates Chhatra Dal leadership

Long-standing dominance of Dhaka University (DU) students in the Chhatra Dal central committee has been evident for years. Over the last four to five committees, the organisation's top positions including president, senior vice president, general secretary, joint general secretary, and organisational secretary have consistently been filled by DU students. 

As a result, active and experienced leaders from other public, medical, and engineering universities have been largely excluded from central leadership.

The tenure of the current committee, led by Rakibul Islam Rakib and Nasir Uddin Nasir, ended on 1 March. The party high command is reportedly considering the formation of a new committee, and grassroots leaders have urged that leadership be determined through a council rather than selection. 

Speculation suggests a new committee could be announced after Eid, with leaders already positioning themselves for top posts.

In the current committee, all top five positions are held by DU students. Among the senior vice president and the vice presidents, the first 12 are from DU, with the highest-ranking non-DU member being Tauhidur Rahman Awal of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College at the 13th position. 

Among joint general secretaries, the first 13 are DU students, while Jahangirnagar University's Shahriar Haque Shimul holds the 14th position. The last three Chhatra Dal committees' top five positions have not included anyone from outside DU.

Several leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while leaders from other universities remain active in grassroots work and protests, they are overlooked when central leadership positions are allocated. Many express frustration and regret over the lack of opportunities.

Shahriar Haque Shimul, joint general secretary and a student of Jahangirnagar University, told TBS, "DU has historical ties to the country's independence and politics, so it is often given special consideration. But ignoring others entirely is not fair. In a committee of 118 units, at least two or three top positions should go to students from outside DU. This is a just demand."

Abu Horaira, president of the Chhatra Dal private university unit, said, "Leadership should be awarded based on merit and ability. Those who prove their organisational skills and take risks for the party should be considered, regardless of their university affiliation."

Political analysts say that a national student organisation like Chhatra Dal must ensure representation from all major campuses to strengthen its base. Broader representation would open pathways for new leadership and expand the organisation's influence nationwide.

Outside DU, leaders currently in discussion for top posts include Tauhidur Rahman Awal (Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College), Kazi Ziauddin Baset (Jagannath University), Shahriar Haque Shimul (Jahangirnagar University), and M Rajibul Islam Talukdar Bindu (private university). 

These leaders have been active in activism, protests, and grassroots organisation, often facing political repression. Shahriar Haque Shimul and Kazi Ziauddin Baset were charged in multiple cases during the previous Awami League government.

Chhatra Dal has historically served as a key platform for producing national-level BNP leaders. Under the new BNP-led government, several former student wing leaders have assumed cabinet positions, including former president Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Rajib Ahsan, former general secretary Habibur Rashid, and former joint central committee vice president Farhad Hossain Azad.