JnU Chatra Dal Convener Slams MPhil Exclusion as ‘Masterplan to Marginalize Us’

“Excluding MPhil students from voter and candidate eligibility in the central student union statute is a masterplan to marginalize us. The masterplan has succeeded,” declared Mehdi Hasan Himel, Chatra Dal branch convener at Jagannath University, during a roundtable on the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JACSU) and hall union election 2025 rules.

The event, held Sunday at 9:00am in the Vice Chancellor’s conference room, was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan. Himel accused the guidelines of being designed to sideline MPhil students, who were barred from the 2025 elections due to enrollment timing.

He said, “The JnUCSU statute states that after the schedule announcement, only regular students can enter the campus. But excluding MPhil students—many of whom couldn’t enroll during the fascist regime due to blocked opportunities, and who now lead student organizations—ensures we’re minus. This was the masterplan, and it worked.”

Himel demanded, “Students who couldn’t pursue MPhil due to past repression, yet led movements and now hold leadership roles, must get access cards for campaign activities. We need them to enter during designated times.”

Attendees included JACSU election commissioners, active student and political organization leaders, and journalists.