Debate and Discord Over Politics in Dhaka University Halls, Meeting Ends Without Resolution

Disputes over the nature and presence of politics in the residential halls of Dhaka University have intensified among student organizations. A meeting organized by the university administration was held on Sunday afternoon, attended by representatives of various student groups, the Vice-Chancellor, and administrative officials. However, despite lengthy discussions, no conclusive decision was reached.

The Democratic Students’ Parliament demanded a complete ban on both overt and covert political activities within the halls. They received support from the Student Rights Council. On the other hand, the Nationalist Student Party favored maintaining “healthy” politics in the halls but opposed secret political activities. The Islamic Chhatra Shibir proposed deciding on its strategic position based on student opinions.

Some left-wing student organizations, especially the Student Union and Socialist Student Front, protested the presence of Shibir by walking out of the meeting. They alleged that the administration was disregarding the decision made in the 1990s to ban Shibir from campus and was now accepting them as normal.

After the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Niyaz Ahmed Khan said, “There is fear and uncertainty among students after the mass uprisings. We want to create an environment in the halls and campus that is student-friendly and ensures everyone’s participation in the upcoming DUCSU elections.”

However, since the announcement of the student party’s hall committee on Friday, general student protests in favor of banning politics in halls and the administration’s continued stance have kept tensions simmering, as today’s meeting ended without a solution.