Dhaka University authorities have warned the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) against creating any “parallel” administrative structure, threatening disciplinary action over several recent initiatives that they say violated university rules and bypassed its administrative authority.
In a statement issued on Monday, the university raised objections to an unauthorized July uprising memorial erected by Ducsu, the display of photographs of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Abdul Malek in the Ducsu gallery, and the launch of a separate website for evaluating university teachers.
The authorities said there was “no scope for establishing a dual administration” at the university and that Ducsu, despite being an important representative body of students, must conduct its activities within the university’s existing laws, rules, policies and administrative framework.
“Any attempt to establish a parallel structure or process by bypassing the university’s administrative authority will be strictly resisted,” the statement said.
‘Nirbhik July’ monument erected without approval
The university said Ducsu erected a memorial named “Nirbhik July” on the western side of the Ducsu building, adjacent to the Arts Building and in front of the Central Library, without consulting or obtaining permission from the Syndicate or Vice-Chancellor.
Citing Section 24(A) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973, the authorities said responsibility for the supervision, maintenance and control of university property rests with the Syndicate.
They also referred to provisions of the Dhaka University Ordinances and Regulations, saying decisions of the students’ union are subject to directives from the Vice-Chancellor.
On that basis, the university said the construction of the monument without approval fell outside Ducsu’s jurisdiction.
The authorities, however, stressed that the university administration supported the spirit of the July Mass Uprising.
They said the foundation stone of the university’s planned “July Memorial Monument” was inaugurated at Mall Chattar on August 5 by the Vice-Chancellor in the presence of members of the university community and families of those killed in the uprising.
Jinnah photo in Ducsu gallery draws objection
The university also objected to the display of photographs of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the then governor-general of Pakistan, and Abdul Malek, identified in the statement as a leader of the then Chhatra Sangha, in the Ducsu gallery.
The authorities described the display of photographs of individuals whose actions they said conflicted with the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh’s independence as “entirely unacceptable” in the gallery.
The statement said strict administrative action would be taken against those responsible in accordance with university rules and regulations.
DU objects to separate teacher evaluation platform
The university also criticized Ducsu for launching a website to evaluate teachers without authorization, saying the initiative was inconsistent with established university policies and institutional procedures.
Teacher evaluation is an academic and institutional matter, and no individual, organization or students’ union can independently introduce a separate evaluation mechanism, according to the statement.
The authorities also alleged that the website had made teachers’ personal information publicly accessible, describing such disclosure as a punishable offence under the law.
Dhaka University said it already has a teacher evaluation policy approved at the university’s highest level and that the system is currently being implemented.
The authorities therefore rejected the introduction of any separate evaluation mechanism outside the approved framework, arguing that such initiatives could undermine the university’s institutional processes and reputation.
The statement described the Ducsu activities in question as “unwanted, unexpected and unacceptable.”
The university said it would not compromise on institutional discipline or what it described as preserving the dignity of the history of Bangladesh’s Language Movement and Liberation War.
It warned that unauthorized construction or attempts to establish separate administrative systems without university approval would result in administrative action against those responsible under existing regulations.
