DU students slam Chhatra Dal poster campaign on campus

Some students of Dhaka University have erupted in protest after Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of BNP, put up posters on the campus to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Students of Bijoy Ekattor Hall held their first protest rally yesterday (November 6) at 9:30 pm and were later joined by students of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, Kobi Jasimuddin Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall and other dormitories.

They marched across campus, protesting what they said was JCD’s political campaign, in violation of a recent ban on student politics at the university.

During the protests, students chanted slogans such as ‘Posters on the walls, bad luck is ahead’, ‘There is no place for student politics here’ and ‘2024, no more student politics’.

The students stated that they would continue their protest until the university administration removes the posters of Chhatra Dal from the walls of the halls.

Protester Mir Muhammad Asif said, “Despite the campus ban on student politics, Chhatra Dal has put up posters here. They are trying to bring student politics back into the halls. We will continue our movement to prevent this.”

Mossaddik Ali, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, criticized the role of the university administration, saying: “The syndicate has temporarily banned student politics. Most students do not support politics in the hallways. How can a political party hang posters in the hall?” the halls despite the ban?

The protesters also alleged that Chhatra Dal activists had threatened students who pulled down the posters. They accused Chhatra Dal members of threatening students both online and offline who opposed the poster campaign.

Around 11pm, DU proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed visited the Bijoy Ekattor Hall.

He stated, “We have not yet established a definitive framework for student politics. We have no issues with the November 7 celebration or the posters featuring Ziaur Rahman. If the posters are removed, it would undermine the dignity of individuals. We will discuss further and make a decision on this matter.”

JCD hung the posters on campus in honor of National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7.