The University of Dhaka is abuzz with festivity as Ducsu elections return after six years, with candidates campaigning tirelessly. Among them, Mehedi Hasan—contesting as Chhatra Dal’s nominee for International Affairs Secretary—has drawn notable attention from students.
Since the beginning of his university life, Mehedi has been active in Chhatra Dal politics and has faced multiple attacks by members of the rival student body, Chhatra League.
In a particularly brutal attack in 2023, he sustained severe injuries. Alongside a serious head injury, his left arm was broken, forcing doctors to implant a metal rod—which remains in his arm to this day.
Students say Mehedi has become a symbolic figure of resistance and resilience, not just for Chhatra Dal, but for anyone who values perseverance in the face of political violence. His candidacy in the Ducsu election is widely seen as a representation of both defiance and endurance.
Following his surgery, Mehedi endured months of pain, plaster, and partial immobility.
“Doctors told me I might never regain full movement in my arm,” he said. “But I told them—whether my arm moves again or not, I will not quit politics. I will continue fighting for students’ democratic rights.”
A fellow Chhatra Dal leader at Dhaka University said: “Mehedi’s injured hand is not just a personal wound—it’s a scar that tells the story of our collective struggle. Every time we see that mark, we’re reminded of what we are fighting for.”
Mehedi, who has long served as International Secretary of DU Chhatra Dal, is now contesting the same post in the Ducsu elections. His key promises include securing student rights, promoting democratic practices, and ensuring a safe campus for all.
“As International Secretary, I want to make sure Dhaka University students are connected to the global stage,” Mehedi said. “But even more importantly, I want to ensure that no one else on campus becomes a victim of violence.”
