Former Dhaka University (DU) student Walid Ashraf, who staged a 333 hour-long hunger strike demanding the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) polls last year, has started a public relations program at the DU campus.
Walid said the program, starting from 10pm on Wednesday, will continue till the poll schedule is declared.
He said he would sit at Smriti Chironton as before from 9pm to 1am every day, and try to spread awareness among the students.
He added: "DU students acknowledged the autocratic condition in the educational institution. They have lost their enthusiasm long before I came here for the protest."
Walid, who completed his master’s degree under the evening program of the university’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, began a hunger strike on November 25, demanding that the authorities concerned hold the Ducsu election before December 16.
Setting up a tent at the Smriti Chironton premises near the vice-chancellor’s residence, he stayed there for days and nights, and vowed to fast unto death.
On December 9, his strike came to an end on the assurance of DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman.
On November 29, Chhatra Union’s DU unit President Tuhin Kanti Das said that the Ducsu polls had been stalled for 27 years due to the indifference of the university authorities, as demonstrated by the fact that steps had not been taken even when Walid launched his protest.
Earlier, on July 29, during the DU vice-chancellor panel election, a group of DU students staged a demonstration demanding the Ducsu polls, which led to a scuffle with some teachers, sparking public outcry on social media.
The last Ducsu election was held on June 6, 1990.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
