Rizvi alleges Ducsu, Jucsu ballot papers printed by press linked to a political party

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that ballot papers for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) elections were printed by a private company owned by a person with close ties to a particular political party.

However, did not name anyone or any party.

Speaking at an event organised by the Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh (DEAB) in Dhaka today (14 September), Rizvi claimed that 16 universities currently have vice-chancellors affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, and said their influence was apparent in the recent student elections.

He also said 16 universities in the country currently have vice-chancellors affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, adding that the impact of this was visible in the university elections.

Rizvi claimed the overall mechanism of universities was designed to ensure the victory of a particular student organisation.

The DU vice-chancellor, in collusion with certain figures in the government, engineered a one-sided election to produce a predetermined result, he alleged.

He also warned of the rise of forces that pose a danger to democracy and religious freedom. "The forces that are rising now are dangerous for democracy, for the practice of democracy and for the religious spirit of the people."

"People here perform five daily prayers, but they also watch dramas on television and listen to songs – that is our cultural reality. But when you make everything one-sided, fascism will rise, and the ultimate form of fascism is the growth of extreme communalism and radical religious politics," he added.

Raising questions about the recent student union elections at universities, Rizvi said, "It has become a matter of public concern whether the state and university authorities are conspiring to create a blueprint to eliminate nationalist forces."

He further accused the university VCs of playing a partisan role in collusion with pro-government quarters to make the elections one-sided. 

Rizvi said those who were involved in the uprising now want to establish a new culture. "They want to impose cultural domination."

Expressing concern, he added, "The state and university authorities seem to be trying to implement a master plan which says, 'We have defeated the Awami League, now the BNP too must be eliminated.' Is this not part of some deep-rooted blueprint?"

Rizvi warned that if such partisan actions continue, a new form of fascism will emerge in society, which will ultimately destroy the national spirit.