BAGCHAS to Return Under Old Akhtar-Nahid Banner

The Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BAGCHAS) is set to dissolve and re-emerge under a new name, reverting to its original identity. The student organisation, which first surfaced in 2023 under the leadership of former DUCSU Social Service Secretary and current NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain, along with Convener Nahid Islam, as ‘Gonotantrik Chhatrashakti’, will now reorganise under the same banner. As the ideological ally of the National Citizens' Party (NCP), the student body will unveil a new structure and leadership.

Earlier, BAGCHAS had announced plans for reorganisation after failing to achieve expected results in DUCSU elections.

A national coordination meeting of BAGCHAS will be held on Thursday (23 October) at the Shaheed Abu Said International Convention Centre. Following the meeting, a press conference will announce the organisation's new name, central and regional committees, and political guidelines.

Sources within the organisation revealed that discussions centred on three potential names: Gonotantrik Chhatrashakti, Jatiyo Chhatrashakti, and Bangladesh Chhatrashakti, with ‘Jatiyo Chhatrashakti’ emerging as the frontrunner.

The new central committee could comprise up to 101 members. Additionally, the Dhaka University unit may be declared a ‘special branch’, and the organisation will operate under a coordinated ‘Super Four’ framework integrated with the central leadership.

Top leaders of the organisation stated that infiltrators have disrupted discipline within BAGCHAS, particularly citing allegations of sabotage by elements linked to Chhatra Shibir. As such, rigorous screening is underway for the new leadership selection.

BAGCHAS Convener Abu Bakar Majumdar said, “Those found to harbour divergent ideologies or affiliations with other organisations will not be retained.”

He added, “We aim to pursue ideological and Bangladesh-centric politics. Not welfare politics, but student-focused programmes to secure strong results in future student union elections.”

It may be recalled that on 4 October 2023, ‘Gonotantrik Chhatrashakti’ was launched under the leadership of former DUCSU Social Service Secretary and current NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain. NCP Convener Nahid Islam served as the central Joint General Secretary of the student organisation. Asif Mahmud, Sports Adviser, was the Convener of its Dhaka University branch. However, following the uprising, all committees of Gonotantrik Chhatrashakti were suspended on 13 September. Subsequently, several leaders formed BAGCHAS. Disappointed with the response in student union elections, the organisation is now making a comeback under a new name.