DU warns of stern action against DUCSU for ‘adopting unuthorised initiatives’

The Dhaka University administration on Monday warned it would take stern action against DUCSU members and others involved for allegedly taking steps beyond their authorised jurisdiction, and for any potential attempts to create a dual administrative structure on campus.

DU officials said the administration has already formed three separate panels, each led by pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, to probe the roles of all complicit in the three specific cases of violations of university regulations.

In a press release, DU cited the three unauthorised initiatives undertaken by DUCSU: erecting a July Uprising memorial, placing images of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Abdul Malek at DUCSU’s display, and launching a website on teacher evaluation.

These initiatives required prior approval from the DU administration, but DUCSU did not seek any such permit, the press release read.

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Any attempt to set up a dual or parallel governing role inside the university will be strongly resisted, it added.

While DUCSU is an important organisation for representing the students, it must function within the legal and administrative framework of the university, and any attempt to set up a parallel governing structure will be met with strong actions as per the university’s regulations, the DU administration warned in the press release.

The DU administration said that DUCSU cannot take any unilateral decision without receiving the necessary directives and guidelines from the vice-chancellor, who under existing regulations also serves as the DUCSU president.

The administration raised objections to the unauthorized installation of a memorial monument named “Nirbik July (Fearless July)” on the west side of the DUCSU building near Arts Faculty and the central library.

Constructing such structures without sanction violates university regulations, and strict disciplinary measures will follow for future unauthorized actions.

The university also strongly condemned the display of portraits of Pakistan's former Governor General Muhammad Ali Jinnah and former student leader Abdul Malek inside the DUCSU gallery, describing them as figures whose roles conflict with the Language Movement and the historical narrative of Bangladesh's independence. Strict administrative measures will be taken against those responsible for displaying these images. Furthermore, the authorities objected to DUCSU's unilateral launch of an unauthorized website for teacher evaluation.

The notification pointed out that publishing personal details of faculty members on the site constitutes a punishable offense, adding that the university is currently implementing its own officially approved Teaching Evaluation policy.

Chhatra Dal issues 24-hour ultimatum

Meanwhile, the Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the ruling BNP, submitted a demand to DU Vice-Chancellor and DUCSU President Prof ABM Obaidul Islam on Monday afternoon, calling for the immediate removal of Muhammad Ali Jinnah's portrait from the gallery within 24 hours. Following the meeting, Chhatra Dal leaders addressed a press briefing in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office.

DU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon stated, "A photo of a controversial person has been displayed in the DUCSU gallery, with whom Dhaka University or DUCSU has no connection whatsoever."

He added, "If the Dhaka University administration and the DUCSU president do not take immediate action and do not remove the controversial pictures, we will be forced to stage a street demonstration."

Echoing the sentiment, DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas said, "The gallery of the DUCSU building is related to the history, tradition and glory of Dhaka University. Pictures of two controversial people have been displayed there. Such an act is morally deviant and the Chhatra Dal cannot accept it."

Chhatra Dal leaders warned, "If both pictures are not taken down within the 24-hour deadline, we will launch fresh protest before the Vice-Chancellor's office."