The University Reform Initiative has prepared an eight-point proposal regarding student politics at Dhaka University, DU. The proposals include calls for a ban on all kinds of party politics in the residential and academic areas of the university. DU students Adnan Mustari and Rafia Rehnuma, along with other students, placed the proposal before the media at a press conference at the DUJA office on Saturday.
Key Proposals:
- Politics in university areas should be banned: All types of political programs belonging to parties will be banned from residential places such as halls and hostels, and academic places such as faculties, departments, and institutes of Dhaka University.
- Political influence prohibition: None, individually or in groups, with political identity or affiliation shall be allowed to influence or seek privileges in mentioned university spaces.
- Political Activities - Disciplinary Action: If the students engage in party political activities, it will be dealt with by university administration through disciplinary action. For this, a law has to be passed by the Syndicate.
- Protection of Freedom to Express: No student expressing his or her political views or sympathizing with any political creed on a personal basis without organizing any political program in university premises shall be subjected to any penalty.
- Immediate Elections for Student Unions: Immediately organize hall and central student council elections (DUCSU) under the university for representation.
- Eligibility for candidates to be voted and voters: The undergraduate and postgraduate regular students of this university would be eligible to participate as a candidate or voter. For undergraduate and postgraduate students, specific eligibility criteria have been set based on admission sessions.
- Independent Candidature in Election: All the candidates shall have to participate in DUCSU or Hall Parliament election individually and shall present their manifesto separately. Not as a panel, no campaign or candidature will be allowed.
- Daksu Constitution Amendment: A panel comprising experienced students and teachers shall prepare recommendations to amend the constitution of Daksu to make it modern, relevant, and contemporary. Amendment shall be implemented as per the opinion of the students.
Statement from URI Members
Adnan Mustari, while discussing the proposal, drew on the importance of a clear division between education and politics for the sound development of the country. He pointed out that although students having political ideologies can remain in the halls, they should not carry on political activities there.
He has also emphasized a student union that would represent the students in voicing their concerns to the administration, promoting social and cultural activities, and creating necessary awareness on national and international issues.
This will help make sure a more independent, non-partisan atmosphere for student representation and governance in Dhaka University.