Protests put RUCSU polls in doubt as ‘complete shutdown’ looms over campus

As the campus remains embroiled in the “dependent quota” protests, doubts about the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) elections taking place on time have emerged, with voters expressing growing concern.

On Saturday, after escalating tensions throughout the day and night, the administration announced the suspension of the quota demand, a decision upheld by the university's Syndicate on Sunday.

In a press briefing later, University Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed that the RUCSU elections would take place as scheduled on Sept 25.

However, the announcement of the quota suspension sparked protests from university employees, teachers, and supporters of the quota system, with many declaring a “complete shutdown” of university activities. This has left many questioning whether the elections will proceed as planned.

Following the Syndicate's decision, a meeting was held at Zubery Bhawan with leaders of the University Officers Association and General Employees Union.

Moktar Hossain, president of the Officers Association, declared a “complete shutdown” in protest, calling Saturday’s events the “most shameful” in the university’s history.

Moktar accused certain student activists of physically assaulting the university’s vice-chancellor, attempting to strangle him, and leaving him injured after being pushed down the stairs.

“We will remain on a complete shutdown until those responsible for this violence are brought to justice,” he said.

“No actions that hinder the RUCSU elections will be carried out by the Officers Association, Alumni Association, Transport Association, or the General Employees Union.”

In response to the violence, the Nationalist Teachers' Forum held a meeting at Zubery Bhawan, where they announced that a human chain and protest meeting would be held on Monday.

The group demanded punishment for those responsible for the physical assault on the teachers.

Prof Amirul Islam, secretary general of the forum, said: “We are boycotting all classes and exams indefinitely until the perpetrators are punished because we are feeling unsafe.”

On the elections, Amirul said: “We cannot participate in an election when we don't feel secure. The Election Commission must ensure our safety before we consider taking any responsibility.”

Student organisations, meanwhile, see these protests as part of a broader effort to sabotage the elections.

Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, a VP candidate backed by the student party Jatiaytabadi Chhatra Dal, said: “If the dependent quota issue creates uncertainty over the RUCSU elections, we will drive them out of campus with the students’ support.

“After all, if we managed to govern for three days after Aug 5, we can surely handle an election like RUCSU.”

Mujahid Faisal, general secretary of the university’s Islami Chhatra Shibir, added: “By raising this settled issue at the last moment, they are trying to derail the RUCSU elections. If this continues, we will carry the movement forward with the support of the students.”

The uncertainty has left many students unsettled.

In a press conference later, the “RUCSU for Radical Change” panel expressed concern over the lack of participation in the upcoming elections.

Mehedi Hasan Maruf, the panel’s VP candidate, said the recent unrest has caused a significant psychological rift between students, faculty, and staff.

“Many students, frightened by the ongoing protests and the holiday season, have already left campus, and with classes and exams suspended, even more are heading home. We are worried about the participation and fairness of the upcoming RUCSU elections.”

Fuad Ratul, VP candidate from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad panel, also expressed concerns, calling the situation a “conspiracy to disrupt the elections.”

He said, “We urge the administration to resolve this matter quickly and resume classes and exams, as the current situation threatens a fair and participatory election.”

In response to the growing concerns, Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam assured the public, saying the dependent quota issue is unrelated to the RUCSU elections.

“The elections will be held on schedule. Our candidates and voters are not involved in this issue. I believe the administration will handle it in such a way that it doesn’t affect the elections,” he said.