Jahangirnagar University (JU), Bangladesh's only residential public university, is grappling with a housing crisis that goes beyond a mere shortage of beds.
The issue stems from the illegal occupation of halls by former students, many of whom are linked to the powerful student organization Chhatra League, creating an environment of overcrowding and rule-breaking.
While 12,533 students reside in the 19 operational halls designed for 12,362, the crisis unfolds due to an estimated 1,320 unauthorized residents clinging to their rooms.
According to students, approximately 200 unauthorized individuals are currently residing in Rabindranath Tagore Hall, over 150 in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, around 200 in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, 120-130 in Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall, 150 in AFM Kamaluddin Hall, 150 in Maulana Bhasani Hall, 140 in Al Beruni Hall, and 150 in Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar Hall.
The recently inaugurated Sheikh Russell and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Halls, however, do not face this issue as their seats are allocated to incoming students.
Additionally, there are approximately fifty non-students in the girls' halls.
According to section 5(a) of the University Student Disciplinary Ordinance 2018, students participating in the post-graduate final examination must surrender their identity cards and medical and library cards and vacate their respective halls within seven days of completing the examination.
The ordinance specifies penalties for non-compliance, including the suspension of result publications for those who fail to adhere to this rule.
Currently, academic programs are underway for students ranging from the 47th batch to the 52nd batch. Consequently, these six batches are considered the only legitimate students of the university.
However, it has come to light that numerous students from the 41st batch to the 46th batch are still residing in the university halls.
The persistence of non-students in the halls has led to undesirable incidents on campus. Recently, an incident took place inside the campus where a 45th-batch student named Mustafizur Rahman raped a woman.
As a result, a renewed movement has emerged to expel non-students from the campus.
Allegation against Chhatra League
The committee of the university unit of Chhatra League comprises over 400 leaders and activists. Aside from those in top positions, at least 250 leaders and activists lack official studentship.
The president and general secretary of the university's Chhatra League unit have reportedly occupied a total of four rooms, each equipped with four seats.
Among them, Aktaruzzaman Sohel, the president of the university unit of Chhatra League, resides in rooms 320 and 322 of Maulana Bhasani Hall, while General Secretary Md Habibur Rahman Liton occupies rooms 349 and 447 of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Notably, Liton is staying in rooms designated for students admitted under a special quota (children of university employees). This is a violation of the rules that prohibit residency under this special quota.
There are 106 vice presidents on the committee of the JU Chhatra League. Of these, the studentship of more than half a hundred leaders has ended.
There are 11 joint secretaries, all of whom have completed their studies.
JU Chhatra League unit president Aktaruzzaman Sohel has denied the presence of non-student leaders in the halls.
He said: "According to my knowledge, Chhatra League men who are in the hall, most of them are enrolled in various courses. Many are giving special exams. If any of them are non-students, we will ask them to vacate the hall.”
Action limited to issuing notice
The administration's response to this situation has so far been limited to issuing notices.
In a recent syndicate meeting convened in response to student demands following a rape incident on campus, the administration granted a five-day ultimatum for non-students to evacuate the halls.
However, there is skepticism among students regarding the administration's ability to implement this decision effectively.
Students express concerns that the administration may be reluctant to take action against the illegally residing students, particularly those associated with Chhatra League politics.
This perceived favoritism has led to various misdemeanors and incidents, such as ragging against new students, with no tangible action taken by the administration.
Amartya Roy, president of Chhatra Union Sangsad, said: "The university administration seems to be accommodating non-students while showing leniency towards Chhatra League members. This has resulted in various incidents on the campus. Additionally, these individuals are involved in activities like ragging against new students, and unfortunately, the administration has failed to take adequate action."
In this regard, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Nurul Alam said: “We are taking strict action to expel the students. A decision was also taken in the Syndicate yesterday (Sunday), and instructions have been given to the administration. I will leave it to implementation.”