Mannan's Name Erased in Black Ink from CUCSU Board for 10 Years

Ten years ago, leaders and activists of the Chhatra League branch had erased the name of former general secretary (GS) and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna from the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) honour board using black ink. Even after the political changeover on August 5, 2024, the former prominent student leader was present as a guest at the university's fifth convocation on May 14 this year, yet the black ink has not been removed from the honour board. Meanwhile, with the CUCSU election preparations gaining momentum, the issue has resurfaced in discussions.

Upon investigation, it was learned that on February 23, 2015, under the leadership of Chhatra League branch leader MA Khaled Chowdhury, 30-40 leaders and activists went to the third floor of the CUCSU building and erased Mahmudur Rahman Manna's name from the list of former GSs using black ink. At the same time, they declared Manna persona non grata at Chittagong University and removed his photograph from the CUCSU museum. On the same day in the afternoon, Chhatra League also erased Manna's name from the list of former vice presidents (VP) at Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU). That night, Mahmudur Rahman Manna was arrested from a flat in Dhaka's Banani.

At the time of erasing Manna's name under the leadership of Chhatra League branch general secretary MA Khaled Chowdhury, former Chhatra League university vice president Mustafa Saiful Roman, joint general secretary Diaj Irfan Chowdhury, organisational secretary Almgir Tipu, and Nazmul Hossain were present. At that time, MA Khaled Chowdhury had told the media, "Since he (Manna) had demanded student corpses, he has no right to be a student representative. Therefore, we have erased Manna's name from the list of former CUCSU GSs and removed his photograph."

Meanwhile, even after the July mass uprising, the university's new administration has not taken any initiative to rewrite the name of this prominent student leader. When asked about this, the university's pro-vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Kamal Uddin directed to contact Professor Dr Zahidur Rahman, director of the CUCSU centre and member of the CUCSU election commission.

Upon contact, Professor Dr Zahidur Rahman, director of the CUCSU centre and member of the election commission, claimed to The Daily Campus that he was unaware about the honour board and also stated that he was not responsible for it.

On this matter, he directed to speak with the university's proctor and CUCSU's treasurer Professor Dr Tanbir Mohammad Haydar Arif. However, despite multiple calls to Proctor Professor Dr Tanbir Mohammad Haydar Arif's mobile regarding this issue, he did not receive them.

It was learned that in 1972, Manna was elected as general secretary (GS) in the CUCSU elections as a candidate of JASAD Chhatra League. From the post-Liberation War period, this youth who stirred up the entire country became a symbol of students' trust from then on.

Later, he enrolled at Dhaka University for higher education. Within a short time, he gained immense popularity among the students there as well. Due to his leadership qualities, bold stance, and organisational skills, he was elected DUCSU VP twice consecutively, creating a rare record. In the DUCSU elections, he was elected VP from JASAD Chhatra League in 1979 and from BASAD Chhatra League in 1980. He is the only one in DUCSU history to have been elected VP twice.# Manna’s Name Remains Covered in Black Ink on CUCSU Honour Board for a Decade

Ten years ago, activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Chittagong University unit erased the name of former General Secretary (GS) of the Chittagong University Central Student Council (CUCSU) and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna from the honour board using black ink. Even after the political shift on August 5, 2024, and Manna’s presence as a guest at the university’s fifth convocation on May 14, his name has not been restored on the honour board. The issue has resurfaced in discussions following the preparations for the upcoming CUCSU elections.

Investigations reveal that on February 23, 2015, a group of 30–40 Chhatra League activists, led by the unit’s General Secretary MA Khaled Chowdhury, stormed the third floor of the CUCSU building and erased Manna’s name from the list of former general secretaries with black ink. Simultaneously, they declared Manna persona non grata at Chittagong University and removed his photograph from the CUCSU archive. On the same day, at noon, Chhatra League activists at Dhaka University also erased Manna’s name from the list of former Vice Presidents (VPs) of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). That night, Manna was detained from a residence in Banani, Dhaka.

During the erasure of Manna’s name under MA Khaled Chowdhury’s leadership, former Vice President of the university’s Chhatra League unit Mostafa Saiful Romen, Joint General Secretary Diyaz Irfan Chowdhury, Organising Secretary Alamgir Tipu, and Nazmul Hossain were present. At the time, MA Khaled Chowdhury told the media, “Since he (Manna) sought the bodies of students, he has no right to be a student representative. Therefore, we have erased his name from the list of former CUCSU general secretaries and removed his photograph.”

Meanwhile, even after the July mass uprising, the university’s new administration has not taken any initiative to restore the name of this prominent former student leader. When inquired about the matter, the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Md. Kamal Uddin, directed to contact Professor Dr Zahidur Rahman, the director of the CUCSU centre and a member of the CUCSU election commission.

When contacted, Professor Dr Zahidur Rahman, director of the CUCSU centre and a member of the election commission, claimed to The Daily Campus that he was unaware of the honour board issue. He also stated that he was not responsible for it.

He advised contacting the university’s Proctor and CUCSU treasurer, Professor Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, regarding the matter. However, despite multiple attempts to reach Professor Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif by phone, he did not respond.

It has been learned that in 1972, Manna was elected General Secretary (GS) of the Chittagong University Central Student Council (CUCSU) as a candidate of Jasad Chhatra League. In the post-Liberation War period, this young leader stirred the nation and became a symbol of trust among students.

Later, he enrolled at Dhaka University for higher education. Within a short time, he gained immense popularity among the students there as well. Owing to his leadership qualities, bold stance, and organisational skills, he was elected Vice President (VP) of DUCSU for two consecutive terms, setting a rare record. He was elected VP in 1979 as a candidate of Jasad Chhatra League and in 1980 as a candidate of BASAD Chhatra League. He remains the only individual in DUCSU’s history to be elected VP twice.