A growing controversy over the student status of the Vice-President (VP) and General Secretary (GS) of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) has sparked debate on campus, raising questions about the legitimacy of their continued tenure and senate membership after the completion of their regular academic programmes.
The dispute stems from differing interpretations of university regulations and the Jucsu constitution regarding whether elected student representatives can remain in office after losing regular studentship.
According to Article 6.1 of the university's Master's Degree Ordinance, a student who fails to appear in or pass the master's examination ceases to be a regular student. While such students may be allowed to sit for the examination once as irregular candidates within two years with departmental approval, they no longer retain regular student status.
Deputy Registrar of the Academic Section Syed Mohammad Ali Reza said students are required to leave their residential halls within seven days of completing their regular master's examinations.
"After that period, they are no longer considered regular students of the university," he said.
Professor Abeda Sultana, president of the Provost Committee and provost of Bir Protik Taramon Bibi Hall, also confirmed that students lose their regular status after completing their academic programme.
The matter has drawn heightened attention because the Jahangirnagar University Act, 1973 stipulates that student representatives lose their senate membership once they cease to be students. However, the Jucsu constitution contains no explicit provision requiring the VP or GS to vacate office after losing studentship, creating what many observers describe as a legal grey area.
According to university sources, Jucsu VP Abdur Rashid Jitu, a student of the 47th batch of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture, failed one course in the regular Master's-2022 examination.
Under the Jucsu constitution, a master's student who fails an examination remains a valid voter until the next academic year's master's examination is held. Since the regular Master's-2023 examinations of the 48th batch have already been completed, university officials and stakeholders argue that Jitu's regular studentship effectively ended in February this year.
Professor Shamima Sultana, director of the institute, said Jitu did not sit for one course examination within the stipulated period and would now have to take a special examination in accordance with university rules.
Jitu, however, rejected the notion that losing regular studentship automatically disqualifies him from office.
"I may no longer be a regular student, but I am still engaged in academic activities as an irregular student. Since the constitution contains no specific provision on this issue, I do not see any obstacle to continuing in office," he said.
Questions have also arisen regarding the status of Jucsu General Secretary Mazharul Islam, a student of the Department of English's 48th batch.
Mazhar completed his academic programme in May after submitting his thesis alongside the 49th batch following a one-year deferment.
Professor Mohammad Raihan Sharif, chairman of the Department of English, confirmed that Mazhar's regular academic programme had ended.
Mazhar acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding the issue.
"The eligibility criteria for becoming a Jucsu member are clearly defined, but there is no provision regarding resignation after the completion of regular studentship," he said.
The controversy has also cast uncertainty over the two leaders' positions in the university senate.
Among the five student representatives nominated to the senate through Jucsu, both the VP and GS are now facing questions over their studentship status, prompting debate about the validity of their continued representation in the university's highest policymaking body.
Section 19(2) of the Jahangirnagar University Act, 1973 states that a student representative loses senate membership upon ceasing to be a student of the university.
Stakeholders argue that if Jitu and Mazhar are no longer considered students under university regulations, they may lose not only their senate seats but also the legal basis for holding their Jucsu offices, depending on the administration's interpretation of the existing rules.
Responding to the issue, the two leaders said they were elected to office and nominated to the senate while holding valid student status.