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Tuesday, 14 October, 2025

RUCSU Polls in Jeopardy as Campus Faces ‘Complete Shutdown

Express Report
  22 Sep 2025, 01:36

With the campus gripped by ongoing ‘dependent quota’ protests, uncertainty looms over the timely holding of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) elections, as voter concerns continue to grow.

Following a day and night of escalating tensions on Saturday, the administration announced the suspension of the quota demand — a move later endorsed by the university's Syndicate on Sunday. In a press briefing later, University Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed that the RUCSU elections would take place as scheduled on Sept 25.

However, the announcement of the quota suspension sparked protests from university employees, teachers, and supporters of the quota system, with many declaring a “complete shutdown” of university activities. This has left many questioning whether the elections will proceed as planned.

Following the Syndicate's decision, a meeting was held at Zubery Bhawan with leaders of the University Officers Association and General Employees Union.

Moktar Hossain, president of the Officers Association, declared a “complete shutdown” in protest, calling Saturday’s events the “most shameful” in the university’s history. He accused a group of student activists of physically assaulting the university’s vice-chancellor, alleging they attempted to strangle him and left him injured after pushing him down the stairs.

“We will continue a complete shutdown until those responsible for this violence are brought to justice,” he warned.

He further assured that no actions obstructing the RUCSU elections would be taken by the Officers Association, Alumni Association, Transport Association, or the General Employees Union.

In response to the incident, the Nationalist Teachers' Forum convened an emergency meeting at Zubery Bhaban on Sunday. The forum announced plans to form a human chain and hold a protest rally on Monday, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the attack on teachers.

Prof Amirul Islam, secretary general of the forum, declared:
“We are boycotting all classes and examinations indefinitely until the perpetrators are punished. We no longer feel safe on campus.”

Speaking about the upcoming elections, he added:
“We cannot participate in any election process while our safety is at risk. The Election Commission must guarantee security before we agree to take on any responsibilities.”

Student organisations, meanwhile, view the protests as part of a wider conspiracy to derail the RUCSU elections.

Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, a VP candidate backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, warned:
“If the dependent quota issue creates uncertainty over the RUCSU elections, we will drive them out of campus with the students’ support. After all, if we were able to govern for three days after Aug 5, we can certainly manage an election like RUCSU.”

Mujahid Faisal, general secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir, echoed the sentiment, saying:
“By reviving this settled issue at the last moment, they are clearly attempting to sabotage the RUCSU elections. If this continues, we will intensify our movement with student support.”

The uncertainty has left many students anxious.

At a press conference, the “RUCSU for Radical Change” panel voiced concern about declining student participation in the upcoming polls.

Mehedi Hasan Maruf, the panel’s VP candidate, said the unrest has created a deep psychological divide among students, faculty, and staff.
“Many students, alarmed by the protests and the ongoing holiday season, have already left campus. With classes and exams suspended, more are heading home. We are concerned about both turnout and the overall fairness of the RUCSU elections.”

Fuad Ratul, VP candidate from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad panel, described the situation as a “conspiracy to disrupt the elections.”
He urged the authorities to act swiftly:
“We call on the administration to resolve this crisis and resume classes and exams as soon as possible, since the current environment threatens a free and participatory election.”

In response to the growing fears, Chief Election Commissioner Prof F. Nazrul Islam reassured the campus community, clarifying that the dependent quota issue would not affect the polls.
“The elections will be held on schedule. Our candidates and voters are not connected to this matter. I believe the administration will handle the situation so it does not interfere with the elections,” he said.

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RUCSU Polls in Jeopardy as Campus Faces ‘Complete Shutdown

Express Report
  22 Sep 2025, 01:36

With the campus gripped by ongoing ‘dependent quota’ protests, uncertainty looms over the timely holding of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) elections, as voter concerns continue to grow.

Following a day and night of escalating tensions on Saturday, the administration announced the suspension of the quota demand — a move later endorsed by the university's Syndicate on Sunday. In a press briefing later, University Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed that the RUCSU elections would take place as scheduled on Sept 25.

However, the announcement of the quota suspension sparked protests from university employees, teachers, and supporters of the quota system, with many declaring a “complete shutdown” of university activities. This has left many questioning whether the elections will proceed as planned.

Following the Syndicate's decision, a meeting was held at Zubery Bhawan with leaders of the University Officers Association and General Employees Union.

Moktar Hossain, president of the Officers Association, declared a “complete shutdown” in protest, calling Saturday’s events the “most shameful” in the university’s history. He accused a group of student activists of physically assaulting the university’s vice-chancellor, alleging they attempted to strangle him and left him injured after pushing him down the stairs.

“We will continue a complete shutdown until those responsible for this violence are brought to justice,” he warned.

He further assured that no actions obstructing the RUCSU elections would be taken by the Officers Association, Alumni Association, Transport Association, or the General Employees Union.

In response to the incident, the Nationalist Teachers' Forum convened an emergency meeting at Zubery Bhaban on Sunday. The forum announced plans to form a human chain and hold a protest rally on Monday, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the attack on teachers.

Prof Amirul Islam, secretary general of the forum, declared:
“We are boycotting all classes and examinations indefinitely until the perpetrators are punished. We no longer feel safe on campus.”

Speaking about the upcoming elections, he added:
“We cannot participate in any election process while our safety is at risk. The Election Commission must guarantee security before we agree to take on any responsibilities.”

Student organisations, meanwhile, view the protests as part of a wider conspiracy to derail the RUCSU elections.

Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, a VP candidate backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, warned:
“If the dependent quota issue creates uncertainty over the RUCSU elections, we will drive them out of campus with the students’ support. After all, if we were able to govern for three days after Aug 5, we can certainly manage an election like RUCSU.”

Mujahid Faisal, general secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir, echoed the sentiment, saying:
“By reviving this settled issue at the last moment, they are clearly attempting to sabotage the RUCSU elections. If this continues, we will intensify our movement with student support.”

The uncertainty has left many students anxious.

At a press conference, the “RUCSU for Radical Change” panel voiced concern about declining student participation in the upcoming polls.

Mehedi Hasan Maruf, the panel’s VP candidate, said the unrest has created a deep psychological divide among students, faculty, and staff.
“Many students, alarmed by the protests and the ongoing holiday season, have already left campus. With classes and exams suspended, more are heading home. We are concerned about both turnout and the overall fairness of the RUCSU elections.”

Fuad Ratul, VP candidate from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad panel, described the situation as a “conspiracy to disrupt the elections.”
He urged the authorities to act swiftly:
“We call on the administration to resolve this crisis and resume classes and exams as soon as possible, since the current environment threatens a free and participatory election.”

In response to the growing fears, Chief Election Commissioner Prof F. Nazrul Islam reassured the campus community, clarifying that the dependent quota issue would not affect the polls.
“The elections will be held on schedule. Our candidates and voters are not connected to this matter. I believe the administration will handle the situation so it does not interfere with the elections,” he said.

Comments

Let Next Parliament Decide on PR Electoral System: Mirza Fakhrul
Voters Prefer Direct Elections, Not PR System: Mirza Fakhrul
“Let Every Girl Dream Freely,” Tarique Rahman Declares
From Dialogue to Streets: Jamaat, Allies Press Protest over Election Reforms
BNP Urges Justice for Past Abuses to Restore Trust in Armed Forces