Bagchas Denies Dissolution, Plans Reorganization After DUCSU-JUCSU Setbacks
Rumors of the dissolution of Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (Bagchas) and its structure surfaced today following the defeat of its supported panel in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. However, Bagchas leaders have categorically denied any such plans, emphasizing instead a focus on reformation and restructuring. They also objected to media portrayals labeling Bagchas as the student wing of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP).
Bagchas Member Secretary Zahid Ahsan told The Daily Campus on Sunday, “Recently, DUCSU and JUCSU elections were held. From these elections and prior experiences, we’ve realized our organizational weaknesses. Bagchas is a very new organization, and we’re addressing these shortcomings. In this context, we’re reevaluating our programs and restructuring our organizational framework. Discussions are ongoing, but there has been no talk of dissolving the organization or its structure. We’re primarily considering reorganization, reevaluation, and reconsideration.”
Earlier, Zahid Ahsan posted on his Facebook account: “As an organization, we’re new with limited experience. Just six months in, we’re handling these student union elections. Consequently, we’re identifying some organizational weaknesses and structural flaws. We’re considering reorganization and program reevaluation to address them. Discussions among leaders are underway. However, no discussions or decisions have been made about dissolving Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad. If any occur, we’ll announce it. For now, there are no discussions on dissolution. The news claiming Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad is being dissolved is incorrect. The headline was made without consulting any top leaders.”
Bagchas DU unit convener Abdul Kader told The Daily Campus, “Even as members, we’re unaware of any dissolution news. This organization is ours, and we’ll make the decisions—not NCP. We’re thinking about how to resolve the organization’s issues. NCP is not involved in any way.”
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Bagchas spokesperson Ashrefa Khatun stated: “BBC Bangla reported that Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad is supposedly being dissolved. Yet, as the spokesperson, I know nothing about it. Such misleading news has a very negative impact at the grassroots level. I don’t know if they publish such news knowingly. They didn’t discuss this with our convener or member secretary.”
She added: “We’ve been discussing organization reform since before DUCSU. We’re thinking about how to proceed. With DUCSU and JUCSU in between, that work was paused. Now, with RUCSU and CUCSU discussions ongoing, the reformation process is underway. Our organization is young, just a few months old. The chain of command isn’t fully established yet, and political workshops haven’t been conducted. We have many past mistakes and had to accommodate people from various places due to circumstances. Considering everything, we’re determined to reform. Almost all central committee members have verbally agreed. Along with that, we’ll also reform committees in various universities.”
