Call for student politics reform gets the cold shoulder

Highlights:

• The student movement holds meeting offering reform proposals on 4 Dec
• 31 student organisations participate in the meeting
• 5 organisations, including Chhatra Dal, did not participate
• Student organisations were asked to draft proposals by 20 Dec
• 40 days later, no organisation has released a proposal
   

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had called for proposals from all student organisations to shape a framework for student politics reform in Bangladesh, but no organisation has responded to the call so far.

Following the "National Student Solidarity Week" organised by the student movement, the second discussion with all student organisations was held on 4 December.

At the meeting, the movement's chief organiser Hannan Masud said, "All student organisations have agreed that the student politics practiced until now was corrupted. There were many flaws in this toxic politics that were not student-friendly. In such a situation, all organisations are in agreement to create a new framework for student politics."

"The student organisations were asked to prepare their own proposals by 20 December 2024 for open discussions and to collaborate with each other. In the end, after an open discussion, a unified framework would be created based on which the future student politics of Bangladesh would be determined," he added.

Although organisations like Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Islami Chhatra Andolan and Student Federation did not participate while 31 organisations, including Islami Chhatra Shibir, took part in the discussion.

However, 40 days after the decision, no organisation has yet released a proposed framework for the reform of student politics.

Umama Fatema, spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement told The Business Standard, "We have not received any proposed framework for the reform of Bangladesh's future student politics from any student organisation so far. We have made efforts from our side, but no open discussions with student leaders have taken place."

She added, "Still, various student organisations are proposing different ideas to the administration regarding student council elections at various universities. At this moment, our top priority is the elections for Ducsu, Jucsu, and all student councils across the country's universities."

"Due to our focus on the July proclamation, this initiative took a backseat. After the proclamation announcement, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will resume working with all organisations on the future framework of student politics. We are also working on drafting a framework."

In response, Chhatra Union (a faction) General Secretary Bahaauddin Shuvo said, "First of all, we did not participate in that meeting. Secondly, we have not prepared any proposal for a new reform. We believe that reform is an ongoing process.

However, we are willing to participate in any open discussion that is free from any communal group."

Speaking to TBS, Chhatra Shibir's Literary Affairs Secretary Sibgatullah said, "Our proposed framework has not been released yet. We have been busy with our annual member conference and restructuring other units of the organisation, which has delayed progress in this matter. But, the work on creating the framework continues. We hope that all student organisations will release their proposals." 

"Though organisations are expressing their thoughts through their day-to-day activities, there is dissatisfaction with the current structure of student politics. In that case, we all hope this initiative will be successful," he added.

Nasir Uddin Nasir, the central general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, "We have had two meetings with them at TSC and Rupayan Tower in the capital. We have been saying since then that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement shifted from a platform for movements after 5 August and became a one-sided platform. 

"They are now focused on taking ownership of the mass uprising. The platform has moved away from a mentality of working together. They are now focused on using various government issues for their benefit, which has reduced their collaboration with other organisations," he added.

He further said, "We are preparing our own proposal for student politics in Bangladesh, which will be released soon. There is no connection between this initiative and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement."