No initiatives yet to hold JUCSU election

The demand for holding the long-pending Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election is gaining ground on the varsity campus. The last election to the central students' union was held 26 years ago, way back in 1992–93. The last JUCSU committee was disabled by the JU authorities on 29 July, 1993, after a clash took place between teachers and students following the decision of expel a student.  

Although different students’ bodies have frequently raised their voices for JUCSU, the authorities have always rejected their demand citing the possibility of unrest on the campus. However, the authorities are still collecting JUCSU fees from the students on a regular basis. According to the JU ordinance, the JUCSU election is supposed should be held every year.

All students’ bodies and teachers’ factions have been asking for the JUCSU poll since last year. They raised the demand before the registered graduate election to the JU senate.  The demand to reactivate JUCSU has been the main topic in the manifestos of different teachers' bodies. Different students’ bodies, including the Student Union, Student Front and the Cultural Alliance, have also been demanding the reactivation of JUCSU.

All students’ and teachers' factions told this correspondent that it was the right time to hold the JUCSU poll.

They also urged the varsity authorities to ensure co-existence of all students in dormitories before election. Ariful Islam Anik, general secretary of the Bangladesh Students' Union (JU unit), said: "I think this is a proper time to make the JUCSU active.  It's absolutely necessary to hold the election to the central students' union to uphold democracy among the students."

Ashikur Rahman, president of the Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance, said: "Student representatives should be chosen through the JUCSU election. It's sad that no election has taken place for a long spell of 26 years."

Ibrahim Khalil Biplob, vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JU unit), however, urged the JU administration to create a level playing field before any such election.  He alleged that they had been ousted from the campus in 2009.

Mohammad Didar, general secretary of the Socialist Students' Front (JU unit), said: "Lack of proper initiatives by the authorities concerned is preventing the JUCSU poll from being held."  "Election to JUCSU is the demand of all students. We want this for the fulfillment of their demand and to represent students in case of any logical movement," said Jewel Rana, president of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (JU unit).

He also said that his party would always cooperative in organising the JUCSU polls.   Prof. Farid Ahmed, secretary of Bangabandhu Adarsho O Muktijuddhar Chatonay Bissashi Progotishil Sikkhak Somaj, said: "All teachers' and students' bodies have been asking for the JUCSU election. But the administration is not showing much interest in the matter." Prof. Kamrul Hasan, a member of the pro-BNP teachers' faction, said the JU administration should hold meeting involving all organisations to discuss the matter.

It should take necessary steps to ensure the coexistence of all students belonging to different organisations in the dormitories, he added.

However, the varsity authorities said they need some time to prepare for the JUCSU election.  JU vice- chancellor Prof Farzana Islam said her administration was eager to hold the polls as early as possible if the students really wanted that.

"But we don't want to see any violence on the campus, which is yet to experience a friendly environment conducive to the poll. So, we'll try to create the environment and then organise the election," she added.

"The condition of Dhaka University (DU) is totally different. So, we need to organise the JUCSU poll through our own initiatives and without any third party involvement," she noted.

About the co-existences students of different bodies in the dormitories, Prof Farzana Islam said: "It's very tough to ensure this. We need to sit with all student bodies to resolve the matter."

No initiatives yet to hold JUCSU election

The demand for holding the long-pending Jahangirnagar University Central Students Union (JUCSU) election is gaining ground on the varsity campus. The last election to the central students union was held 26 years ago, way back in 199293. The last JUCSU committee was disabled by the JU authorities on 29 July, 1993, after a clash took place between teachers and students following the decision of expel a student. Although different students bodies have frequently raised their voices for JUCSU, the authorities have always rejected their demand citing the possibility of unrest on the campus. However, the authorities are still collecting JUCSU fees from the students on a regular basis. According to the JU ordinance, the JUCSU election is supposed should be held every year. All students bodies and teachers factions have been asking for the JUCSU poll since last year. They raised the demand before the registered graduate election to the JU senate. The demand to reactivate JUCSU has been the main topic in the manifestos of different teachers bodies. Different students bodies, including the Student Union, Student Front and the Cultural Alliance, have also been demanding the reactivation of JUCSU. All students and teachers factions told this correspondent that it was the right time to hold the JUCSU poll. They also urged the varsity authorities to ensure co-existence of all students in dormitories before election. Ariful Islam Anik, general secretary of the Bangladesh Students Union (JU unit), said: I think this is a proper time to make the JUCSU active. Its absolutely necessary to hold the election to the central students union to uphold democracy among the students. Ashikur Rahman, president of the Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance, said: Student representatives should be chosen through the JUCSU election. Its sad that no election has taken place for a long spell of 26 years. Ibrahim Khalil Biplob, vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JU unit), however, urged the JU administration to create a level playing field before any such election. He alleged that they had been ousted from the campus in 2009. Mohammad Didar, general secretary of the Socialist Students Front (JU unit), said: Lack of proper initiatives by the authorities concerned is preventing the JUCSU poll from being held. Election to JUCSU is the demand of all students. We want this for the fulfillment of their demand and to represent students in case of any logical movement, said Jewel Rana, president of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (JU unit). He also said that his party would always cooperative in organising the JUCSU polls. Prof. Farid Ahmed, secretary of Bangabandhu Adarsho O Muktijuddhar Chatonay Bissashi Progotishil Sikkhak Somaj, said: All teachers and students bodies have been asking for the JUCSU election. But the administration is not showing much interest in the matter. Prof. Kamrul Hasan, a member of the pro-BNP teachers faction, said the JU administration should hold meeting involving all organisations to discuss the matter. It should take necessary steps to ensure the coexistence of all students belonging to different organisations in the dormitories, he added. However, the varsity authorities said they need some time to prepare for the JUCSU election. JU vice- chancellor Prof Farzana Islam said her administration was eager to hold the polls as early as possible if the students really wanted that. But we dont want to see any violence on the campus, which is yet to experience a friendly environment conducive to the poll. So, well try to create the environment and then organise the election, she added. The condition of Dhaka University (DU) is totally different. So, we need to organise the JUCSU poll through our own initiatives and without any third party involvement, she noted. About the co-existences students of different bodies in the dormitories, Prof Farzana Islam said: Its very tough to ensure this. We need to sit with all student bodies to resolve the matter.