Chhatra Dal, 4 other panels want Rucsu polls after Durga Puja, Shibir for vote on schedule
"The election must be held on schedule, as declared by the election commission. Those who are engaging in unpolitical tactics to delay the election are trying to disrupt the process," Shibir-backed vice-president (VP) Mustakur Rahman Jahid says
Highlights
- Five panels, including Chhatra Dal, want Rucsu elections to be held after Durga Puja
- Shivir insist on schedule
- Teachers, staff continue shutdown, halting classes and exams
- Election commission to decide today; 40–45% of students already left campus
At least five panels, including Chhatra Dal, today (22 September) urged the authorities to hold the upcoming Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) elections after the Durga Puja, citing unrest over the ward quota issue and students leaving campus for puja vacation.
Meanwhile, teachers, officials, and employees of Rajshahi University (RU) continued their work abstention for the second day as part of their "complete shutdown" programme demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in what they called the humiliation of a pro-vice-chancellor, the proctor and other teachers.
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Due to the shutdown, classes and exams remain suspended, and students are leaving the campus in large numbers. Claiming that the situation makes a fair election impossible, candidates demanded a delay in the polls scheduled for 25 September.
However, Islami Chhatra Shibir wants the polls to be held as per the schedule.
Shibir-backed vice-president (VP) Mustakur Rahman Jahid, told The Business Standard, "The election must be held on schedule, as declared by the election commission. Those who are engaging in unpolitical tactics to delay the election are trying to disrupt the process."
Speaking to the media around 1pm, Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir said, "The polls should be held after the Durga Puja vacation. When we go campaigning, we hardly find students. Most have gone home. We request the commission to consider holding the election after Durga Puja."
The BNP student wing's general secretary candidate Nafiwul Jibon, however, stressed that the quota issue must be resolved first. "Polls are for students, but if they are not here, the election will be meaningless. We want a participatory election."
"Since two days remain, the administration still has time to resolve the issue and hold polls on time," he added.
Earlier, at a press conference held at the university's Amtala this noon, VP candidate of the independent panel, Sarbajanin Shikkharthi Sangsad, Tasin Khan, said, "Because of the shutdown and students leaving campus for Durga Puja, this puts independent candidates at a disadvantage. If students don't return, how can we campaign?
"The quota issue must be resolved before elections. We are not imposing a specific deadline, but the matter must be settled first."
She added that five central panels, as well as most independent candidates, supported the stance and want the elections to be held after the puja.
About the matter, Chief Returning Officer Professor F Nazrul Islam told TBS, "It is true that many students are leaving campus due to the unrest over ward quota. Some candidates want the polls to be delayed, others want them on schedule."
"We have called a meeting this afternoon to decide whether to delay the election," he added.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib said, "The matter rests entirely with the election commission. Whatever decision they make will be implemented."
Rajshahi University Journalist Association (RUJA) President Irfan Tamim said, "We knew a large portion of students would leave before Durga Puja. But because of the complete shutdown, already 40–45% of students have left, and the number will increase in the next two days."
Scuffle, ward quota suspension
Tension flared on 20 September as a scuffle broke out between students and senior university officials, including the pro-vice chancellor and the proctor, over admissions under a ward quota for children of teachers, officials and staff.
Pro-VC (Administration) Professor Mohammad Main Uddin, Proctor Prof Md Mahbubor Rahman, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud and several other teachers were confined by protesting students inside Zuberi Bhaban for nearly six hours in the afternoon.
They were released at around 11:15pm after students ended the confinement and moved to hold a sit-in in front of the VC's residence.
The administration also expressed hope that the Rucsu and hall union elections will take place on 25 September without disruption.
Yesterday, the RU administration suspended admissions under the ward quota following student protests and escalating tensions on the campus.
The decision came during an emergency syndicate meeting, chaired by VC Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, held at the VC's residence in the afternoon.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Registrar Masud said, "Around midnight, on the directive of the VC, admissions under the ward quota were temporarily suspended. At today's meeting, the decision to suspend the quota was upheld. Several bodies will now issue the final decision."
The meeting also condemned the confinement and harassment of the pro-VC and several teachers during the protests.
