THE forthcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election will take place at a pivotal moment in our history and carries profound significance. In the wake of July uprising, this is not merely a contest between student panels — it is a battle that could shape the political future of Bangladesh itself.
Dhaka University has long played a vital role in knowledge production and has been a key driver of political change. Beyond nurturing generations of scholars, it has consistently provided leadership during moments of national crisis. From the language movement of 1952 to the mass uprising of 1969, from the liberation war of 1971 to the overthrow of military rule in 1990, DU students have stood at the forefront of resistance against authoritarianism. Even in recent years, DUCSU has played a role in challenging Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime. Historically, anti-establishment voices have thrived here, with left-leaning student forces often emerging victorious.
Today, students face a profound choice. Behind the banners of ‘apolitical,’ ‘non-political,’ or ‘general student’ organisations lie hidden political agendas. Every panel carries a track record that students know well. This election unfolds against the backdrop of a national struggle against fascism, inequality and injustice. Students must take a stand grounded in a political vision for a just and democratic Bangladesh — one free from discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, religion or class.
Fascism is not just a person; it is a system. Even if Sheikh Hasina’s fascism has fallen, other forces wait behind masks, conceal themselves, seeking to impose new forms of authoritarianism. Fascism thrives wherever dissent is silenced through violence, ‘final solution’ threats of rape, murder and mutilation. It is not only confined to state power; it festers in society, in the organisations and political parties. Students must confront these hidden fascist elements as well.
Reject any organisation or politics that opposes women’s equal rights and dignity. Scrutinise everyone’s record. A core element of democracy is equality among citizens, transcending barriers of race, ethnicity or gender, and recognising everyone as equal. Any politics that opposes gender equality, threatens rape, insults women as prostitutes or endorses such language, bullies or attacks women — such hypermasculinity must be rejected and resisted in the spirit of the July uprising. Say no to organisations that produce hatred and inequality. Give your verdict at the ballot against organisations whose members threaten female opponents with rape. Politics that cultivates misogyny and a culture of sexual violence is anti-democratic; only by defeating it can we build a democratic and egalitarian society. Let us make it clear to the misogynists that no one will escape consequences for discrimination or humiliation against women, who make up half of our society.
A culture of free thought is essential for the pursuit of knowledge and science. Politics that rejects intellectual freedom will, if victorious at the university, imprison our minds. It will impose dress codes and restrictions. Let us not invite a future where morality police crush and kill someone simply for showing a strand of hair, as happened to Mahsa Amini in Iran. Nor should we create an environment were refusing to follow religious texts in scientific research could lead to imprisonment like Galileo or being burned alive like Giordano Bruno for pursuing independent scientific thought.
During Iran’s religious purges, thousands of teachers were expelled, imprisoned or executed, and the curriculum was subjected to religious indoctrination. We must not ‘dig canals to invite crocodiles’ by embracing such politics. Considering all this, we must ensure that Dhaka University never becomes a breeding ground for religio-fascist or neoliberal forces. Say no to those who remain pro-Pakistan, who attempt to pit the July uprising against our liberation war, or who wish to erase the blood of our martyrs. Respond to them through the ballot and make it clear that our liberation war is not a matter of compromise — we embrace all ’71, ’90 and ’24.
The DUCSU election is not only about politics and power; it is also about addressing pressing student issues — housing shortages, limited dormitory seats, the ‘guest room culture’, harassment, improving education quality, healthcare, transport, research opportunities and ensuring student representation in various decision-making bodies. A panel that reflects diversity in gender, ethnicity and religion embodies the democratic values that Dhaka University has always championed and will, we hope, earn students’ support.
Students now face a crucial choice: Will they empower those who once suppressed dissent as part of the ruling party’s student wing, who attempt to erase the liberation war, who oppose women’s equal rights, or who traded the spirit of the 2024 uprising for wealth? Or will they choose those who fight for equality, justice and democratic freedom?
The DUCSU election is a chance to reaffirm that the spirit of 1971 and the courage of July 2024 remain inseparable. Let Dhaka University once again lead the way — towards peace, knowledge and democracy.
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Dr Akhter Sobhan Masroor is a writer and a prominent student leader of the 1990 Mass Uprising in Bangladesh.
