Uncertainty over RUCSU election resolved
The prolonged deadlock and continuous protests at Rajshahi University (RU) have ended, clearing the way for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election on October 16. The decision by teachers and staff to refrain from new protests has alleviated concerns, paving the way for a festive voting atmosphere, according to the election commission, candidates, and stakeholders.
Administration’s assurances halt protests
Multiple rounds of discussions between the university administration and protesting teachers and staff led to this resolution.
Professor Abdul Alim, president of the university’s Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, said, “The administration requested no protests before RUCSU. Our demands were campus security and justice for teacher harassment incidents. The administration assured us, so we’ve paused programs for the election’s sake.”
The Officers’ Association also confirmed no protests before the election. President Md. Moktar Hossain stated, “We won’t launch any programs before RUCSU. If we did and the election stalled, we’d be blamed. We’ll fulfill our duties and fully cooperate.”
Chief Election Commissioner Professor F. Nazrul Islam said, “Teachers and staff assured the administration they won’t hold programs before RUCSU and will fully cooperate. There’s no longer any uncertainty.”
University sources said the administration was proactive in ensuring no new protests disrupted the election. On October 5, after RU reopened, the administration met with staff, where the Vice-Chancellor urged no programs before the election.
Earlier, the Officers’ Association had suspended a full-day work stoppage after a seven-day ultimatum, while the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum paused protests demanding justice for teacher harassment and the reinstatement of the dependent quota.
On September 24, the Officers’ Association, and on September 25, the Teachers’ Forum, suspended their programs. The university was closed from September 30 to October 4. After reopening on October 5, the administration held multiple meetings, urging no new protests before RUCSU.
On September 18, the administration reinstated the dependent quota with 10 conditions, sparking student protests. On September 20, a clash occurred between students and teachers/staff at Zuberi Bhavan. The next day, the Teachers’ Forum and officers observed a one-day work stoppage, demanding the quota’s reinstatement and punishment for those involved in teacher harassment. This escalated into an indefinite “shutdown” program.
On September 21, an emergency syndicate meeting suspended the quota decision and formed two probe committees for the harassment incidents. Despite this, protests continued, forcing the election commission to postpone the RUCSU election, originally set for September 25, to October 16.
Candidates and stakeholders welcomed the decision to avoid new protests. Sheikh Noor Uddin, VP candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed ‘United New Generation’ panel, said, “There was uncertainty about RUCSU. Students would’ve secured it regardless. If anyone tried to sabotage it, students would’ve uprooted them. We won’t let the students’ enthusiasm fade. The vote will happen on the 16th.”
Mustakur Rahman Zahid, RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president and RUCSU VP candidate, added, “We applaud the teachers and staff’s decision. RUCSU is everyone’s right and must happen on time. A group has been trying to derail it from the start, but we’ll overcome all attempts to claim our rights.”
