DUCSU demands transparent residential hall seat allocation policy

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) staged a sit-in protest on Tuesday, demanding the formulation of a transparent, student-friendly and non-discriminatory residential hall seat allocation policy at the university.

The protest took place in front of the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building in the evening while a meeting of the DU Syndicate was underway.

Demonstrators alleged that the university administration was attempting to reinstate the controversial public room and guest room culture under the guise of a new seat allocation policy.

They gathered outside the Senate Building and chanted slogans demanding clear guidelines and an immediate end to public room practices. 

Protesters also displayed placards condemning political considerations in the allocation of residential hall seats.

"Conspiracies regarding the implementation of the seat policy are taking place in this meeting, and attempts are being made to re-implement the public room and guest room system," said DUCSU Literature and Culture Affairs Secretary Mosaddek Ibne Ali Mohammad. 

"We staged this demonstration to stop those attempts."

He said political influence in hall seat allocation is unacceptable and called for equal opportunities for all students through a transparent policy.

DUCSU Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah, Social Services Secretary AB Zubair, and various hall union leaders participated in the demonstrations.

Around 7pm, several DUCSU leaders engaged in an argument outside the meeting room with assistant proctors Enamul Haque Sajeeb, Rezaul Karim Sohag, and Shantu Barua over a previous attack on DUCSU leaders at Shahbagh police station. 

However, administrative officials quickly brought the situation under control, and the protest later ended peacefully.