Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University unit has submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, demanding justice for past abuses carried out against students through so-called ‘guest room’ and ‘mass room’ practices, as well as a resolution to the ongoing accommodation crisis.
The leaders made the remarks at a press briefing in front of the Registrar Building after meeting the Vice-Chancellor at around 12:30pm on Tuesday.
Speaking at the briefing, Nahiduzzaman Shipon, General Secretary of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal, said that in the past students with differing views were subjected to physical and psychological abuse in residential halls through the ‘guest room’ and ‘mass room’ systems.
As a result, many students’ academic lives were disrupted, and some were unable to complete their studies. He called for those involved to be identified and brought under disciplinary action without delay.
He added, “We raised these demands multiple times with the previous administration even after August 5, but no resolution was reached. We now urge the current administration to form an independent investigation commission to look into the matter.”
Nahiduzzaman Shipon also alleged that Islami Chhatra Shibir, despite being involved in such abuses in the past, is now denying the allegations and instead running a smear campaign against JCD. “We have evidence regarding this,” he claimed.
Regarding the accommodation crisis, he said that as Dhaka University is not fully residential, the culture of ‘guest room’ and ‘mass room’ practices had developed around the allocation of seats for first-year students. He demanded that first-year students be given priority in seat allocation, and those who cannot be accommodated be provided with housing stipends.
At the briefing, DU JCD president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said that the so-called ‘guest room’ and ‘mass room’ practices had subjected general students to severe abuse in the past, leaving them with traumatic experiences. He assured that such practices would not be allowed to recur.
He further stressed the need to maintain a democratic environment on campus and said that all organizations must act responsibly to ensure that no activities hinder the academic pursuits of general students.