Chatra Dal Disrupts RUCSU Election Process, Tensions Escalate

On the final day of nomination form distribution for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election, chaos erupted as activists from the university’s Chatra Dal branch halted all activities. Led by Chatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi, the group locked the RUCSU treasurer’s office and staged a protest, vandalizing chairs and tables in the election commission office on Sunday, August 31, 2025. They then padlocked the office and began a sit-in, intensifying the situation.

The disruption continued when former coordinator Salahuddin Ammar arrived to collect nomination forms but faced resistance from Chatra Dal activists. Ammar joined the sit-in outside the locked gate. Meanwhile, BNP-affiliated faculty members expressed solidarity with Chatra Dal’s demands.

According to eyewitnesses and Chatra Dal sources, the group has been campaigning for days to include first-year students in the voter list. Chatra Dal General Secretary Sardar Johurul Islam told journalists, “We’ve been demanding the inclusion of first-year students in the voter list, but our demands have been ignored. They’ve paid RUCSU fees but are denied voting rights. We will continue our protests until this discrimination is resolved.”

Professor Jahangir Hossain, General Secretary of UTAB Rajshahi University branch and head of the Folklore Department, voiced support, stating, “First-year students and anti-autocracy movement leaders have been excluded from the voter list. Chatra Dal is protesting for this cause, and we stand in solidarity with their demands.”

University Proctor Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman said, “We’ve urged both sides to remain patient and pursue their programs peacefully. We are working to resolve the issue through discussions with both parties.”

Regarding the vandalism, the Proctor added, “I haven’t seen the video evidence yet. We’ve repeatedly said that objections can be raised, but the election process must not be disrupted. We are striving to ensure that.”

As per the revised schedule, the RUCSU election is set for September 25, 2025, with Sunday marking the final day for nomination form collection.