The first part of the "Praxis Dialogue" was held with 12 partisan and non-partisan student representatives of Dhaka University. They all advocated for the continuation of student politics on campus and called for structural and constitutional reformation of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu).
The dialogue was held at Mozaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, Dhaka University, on Saturday. The discussion focused on the future of student politics on campus and its potential outline.
In the dialogue, no representatives called for the depoliticization of student politics on the Dhaka University campus. Instead, they advocated for its continuation.
Most political organizations called for Ducsu elections and structural reform of Ducsu, including representatives from Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chaatra Union, Biplobi Chhatra Maitree and the Anti-Discrimination Student Platform.
Non-partisan student representatives and left-wing student organizations also urged for liaison-less student politics on campus.
Chhatra Union President Meghmollar Basu expressed that it is difficult to eliminate liaison-based politics given the current context of Bangladeshi politics.
He suggested establishing a regulatory body to oversee student politics. “There should be a democratic process to elect student and teacher representatives for the regulatory body."
Meghmollar Basu urged major political organizations like Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir to clarify their connections with their political parties to the students.
Representatives from non-partisan and left-wing student organizations voiced concerns over student organizations acting to further the agendas of their parent parties, which they believe contaminates the environment of student politics.
Chhatra Union, Biplobi Chhatra Maitree and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front proposed reforming the Ducsu structure.
They said that the university administration has control over the current Ducsu structure, stating that the vice chancellor can dissolve Ducsu at will.
Mozammel Huq, a representative from the SSF, warned: “Ducsu can also be used as a weapon of fascism in its current structure.”
Jahidul Islam Riyad, the organizational secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Maitree, suggested abolishing the 1973 ordinance.
He said: “This ordinance gives the chancellor the right to directly elect 25 syndicate members without any election, placing the policy-making and administrative body of our universities under a party-based system.”
Additionally, several non-partisan representatives, including Abu Baker Mazumder from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement platform and Sayed Abdullah, suggested implementing an age cap for students involved in student politics.
Hossen Ahmed Zobair, the representative of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and its publicity and media secretary, proposed that there be no politics in the halls, allowing the administration to run them.
However, Sayed Abdullah cautioned that eliminating politics in the halls could lead to the emergence of covert political activities.
Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami, vice president of the Surja Hall wing of Chhatra Dal, highlighted the constitutional rights of Bangladesh, emphasizing that the right to politics is ensured. “Chhatra Dal aims to conduct its political activities through the Ducsu election.”
“There will be no ‘showdown politics’ on campus”, adding that Chhatra Dal will maintain strict internal discipline.
Saifuddin Ahmed, proctor of Dhaka University, and assistant proctor Shehreen Amin Bhuiyyan moderated the discussion.