Dhaka University’s campus, alive with campaigning for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections, was thrown into turmoil Monday after the High Court abruptly ordered the polls suspended.

Students and candidates abandoned scheduled rallies, taking to the streets to demand that the election go ahead as planned.

The High Court initially stayed the elections for two months following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition. Within an hour, however, the Appellate Division’s chamber court overturned the order, temporarily clearing the way for the polls. The reprieve eased tensions but left many students anxious over whether the election would ultimately proceed.

The university has scheduled DUCSU and hall union polls for September 9, with 471 candidates contesting 28 positions. Campaigning has been underway since August 26, with at least ten panels and several independents in the fray. With national elections looming, the contest has also drawn widespread public and media attention.

The drama began when BM Fahmida Alam, Liberation War and Democratic Movement secretary candidate from the left-leaning ‘Aparajeyo 71, Adommo 24’ panel, filed a writ petition on Sunday challenging the candidacy of SM Farhad, Islami Chhatra Shibir’s general secretary nominee. She argued that Farhad had served on a Bangladesh Chhatra League committee until August 5, raising questions about his eligibility to stand as a Shibir-backed candidate.

Following the High Court order on Monday, DU lawyers appealed to the chamber court, which suspended the HC’s ruling, removing the immediate legal obstacle to the elections.

Despite this, nearly all student organisations voiced outrage over the initial suspension. Groups including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, and Islami Chhatra Shibir staged protests on campus. Even activists from Fahmida’s own ‘Aparajeyo 71, Adommo 24’ alliance took to the streets in demonstration, highlighting the unusual intensity of the unrest.

The High Court ruling came just as the Shibir-backed panel was unveiling its manifesto outside the DUCSU building. Candidate Umama Fatema’s panel scrapped the announcement amid the uncertainty.

Fahmida insisted her petition was not intended to derail the elections. She accused Farhad of links to banned groups and alleged that his actions—such as displaying portraits of war collaborators at TSC—contravened the DUCSU Constitution. She also claimed she had faced harassment online through “bot accounts” since filing the case.

Farhad, in a Facebook post, praised Fahmida’s legal approach. “Compared to edited photos and smear campaigns, your legal initiative is a better approach,” he wrote. “We will overcome obstacles and conspiracies and continue our journey. We will not stop, God willing.”

Aditi Islam, AGS candidate for Fahmida’s panel, described the High Court order postponing the DUCSU election as “extraordinary and shocking,” insisting it was rooted in a sound moral position and not aimed at suspending the polls.

Turbulent Campus

The campus erupted in protests following the HC ruling. Students and candidates from rival panels halted campaign activities to march through the streets, demanding that the vote proceed as scheduled.

Bin Yamin Mollah, VP candidate of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, staged a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s residence, quickly joined by other student groups. Protesters chanted slogans including: “High Court or DUCSU? DUCSU! DUCSU!”, “DUCSU is my right, no one can take it away,” and “Conspiracy won’t derail DUCSU.”

Shibir activists rallied from Madhur Canteen, circled Surja Sen Hall, and held a press briefing at the DUCSU building. GS candidate Farhad said, “The election will be held on time. We know who fears the vote. On September 9, students will show them the red card.” VP candidate Sadiq Kayem added, “Anyone trying to stop this election will face student resistance.”

Chhatra Dal activists marched from the central library to Aparajeyo Bangla, where VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan warned, “No one can block this vote. If DUCSU is derailed despite the bloodshed this nation has endured, we will never accept it. The election must be held on September 9.” He also questioned the neutrality of the university’s legal strategy, criticising the appointment of “controversial” lawyer Shishir Manir.

BAGCHAS VP candidate Abdul Kader addressed protesters near the DUCSU building: “Students must red-card all conspiracies and keep DUCSU alive as their platform of rights. Today’s developments prove our fears—the election is being targeted for derailment.” GS candidate Abu Baker Mojumder added, “Voters and candidates agree—everyone wants DUCSU.”

Umama Fatema led another rally past the Arts Building toward TSC, insisting, “We will not let this student election become a pawn of national politics. DUCSU must be held on September 9. We will press the Election Commission directly to ensure there is no delay.” She questioned the timing of the writ petition, noting that voter lists closed on August 11 and candidate withdrawals ended on August 25. “Why file the petition only now, days before the vote? This is a ploy to delegitimise the entire election,” she said.

Later, Fahmida’s panel held a press briefing at Madhur Canteen. AGS candidate Aditi emphasised, “Fahmida filed this petition from a sound moral position, targeting Farhad’s anti-Liberation stance. The petition never sought to suspend the election itself.”