RUCSU election: RU Professor urges entry of freshers, repressed leaders

Rajshahi University (RU) Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam, general secretary of the university’s Zia Parishad and a faculty member of the Marketing Department, has demanded the inclusion of first-year students and repressed student leaders in the long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election.

In a press release issued on Saturday, Prof Faridul said the RUCSU polls, being held after 35 years, carry immense importance not only for the 30,000 students of RU but also for the country at large, similar to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

He alleged that excluding first-year students from the voter list is a clear violation of their rights, as they have already completed admission procedures by paying all fees applicable for RUCSU. “The authorities and election commission have completely ignored their eligibility, which appears unlawful,” he said.

Prof Faridul also demanded the participation of opposition student leaders who, despite facing political repression and multiple cases, played a significant role in anti-fascist movements. “Some of these leaders have been barred from campus for 17 years, losing their studentship. Yet their sacrifices cannot be denied. Keeping them out of the election would be unjust,” he observed.

He further criticized the RU administration and the RUCSU election commission for what he termed as their “indifferent role,” contrasting it with Dhaka and Chattogram universities, which have taken some initiatives in this regard.

“Without the participation of first-year students and repressed, incarcerated student leaders, any election will lack credibility,” he said, urging the authorities to reconsider their stance for a fair and inclusive election.