CUET Students Protest Formation of Chhatra Dal Committee, Demand Politics-Free Campus

Students at the Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) staged a protest procession and rally yesterday, Thursday, July 10, around 11:00 PM, following news of the formation of a Chhatra Dal committee.

Despite a ban on student politics at the university, news of a Chhatra Dal committee being formed at CUET spread on social media, sparking outrage among general students. They promptly announced a protest against any form of student politics on campus. Around 11:00 PM, students gathered at the University's Independence Square, marched through the campus, parading past all male and female dormitories, and proceeded to the Vice-Chancellor's building. During the protest, they chanted slogans such as "No student politics in CUET," "Red card to Chhatra Dal, red card to Chhatra Shibir, red card to Chhatra Union," and "CUET's land, Cuetians' stronghold."

Students stated that in the past, many students had faced harassment due to student politics. While they respect all political parties, student politics is prohibited at CUET. Therefore, they will not accept the formation of a Chhatra Dal committee on campus under any circumstances. They also clarified that committees of Chhatra Shibir or Chhatra Union would also not be tolerated. Referring to the "July Revolution" (a past student movement), they declared, "Apu Saeed and Mugdha sacrificed their lives. This freedom, achieved through their blood, will not be lost so easily. We have already witnessed the terrible consequences of student politics, and its recurrence will not be allowed."

They further urged the university administration to take action against anyone whose name appears on the committee. The students warned that if appropriate measures are not taken, they would announce more stringent protest programs in the future.

Meanwhile, regarding the formation of the Chhatra Dal committee, Nasir Uddin Nasir, the General Secretary of Chhatra Dal's central parliament, stated that the previous Chhatra Dal committee at CUET has been withdrawn. He clarified it was a draft committee, and a new committee would be announced tomorrow.

It is noteworthy that according to a decision made at the 136th (emergency) syndicate meeting in August of last year, all types of political organizations and activities involving students, teachers, officials, and employees of CUET are strictly prohibited. Violators of this order will face action as per university regulations.