DUCSU Leader Sarbamitra Chakma Not Resigning

Sarbamitra Chakma, an executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU), has officially retracted his decision to resign from his post. This comes after he initially announced his departure last Wednesday following a massive public outcry over videos of him punishing teenagers on the university grounds.

The Decision to Stay: "Students Want Me to Continue"

Despite his earlier Facebook announcement on January 28 expressing regret and a desire to step down, Sarbamitra informed The Daily Campus on Saturday evening that he has changed his mind. He cited two primary reasons for this reversal:

• Student Request: He claimed that general students have urged him not to resign, viewing it as a "betrayal" of their mandate.

• Pending Projects: He stated that he still has unfinished work and specific plans for the student body that he wishes to complete before his term ends.

Controversy and Demands for Expulsion

The controversy began last week when two separate videos went viral on social media. The footage showed Sarbamitra holding a stick while forcing a group of teenagers and young men to perform "ear-squats" (holding ears while doing sit-ups) at the DU Central Field and Gymnasium.

In response to the "vigilante justice" seen in the videos, leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and various Left-leaning student organizations have demanded his immediate expulsion from DUCSU. Addressing these demands, Sarbamitra remained defiant, stating:

"If they can bring an official expulsion letter signed by the University Vice-Chancellor and DUCSU President, let them. I have no further comment on this."

When questioned about the legal procedure for resignation, Sarbamitra admitted he was unaware of the specific clauses in the DUCSU constitution. However, Clause 12(b) of the DUCSU Constitution clearly outlines the procedure:

"If any member of the Executive Committee or any office-bearer resigns, dies, or is removed from office, the vacant post shall be filled through the prescribed election method for the remainder of the term."

Sarbamitra Chakma was elected as an executive member in the DUCSU elections held in September last year, running as a candidate from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel. Since taking office, he has faced multiple allegations of misconduct, including reports of threatening an elderly man and assaulting street vendors.

While he initially claimed his actions on the playground were a response to "security concerns" and "administrative failure" regarding outsiders on campus, the university administration has already issued a show-cause notice regarding the incident.