CUCSU Building of Chittagong University. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

The absence of an elected CUCSU is contributing to unhealthy student politics at Chittagong University, the third largest university of the country, with around 20,000 students.
Once Chittagong University Central Students Union (CUCSU) was vibrant with various activities, including various extra-curricular activities for the students, to build future leadership. But it is now dysfunctional.
There is no students' leader at CU as the election process as well as activities of CUCSU remained suspended for at least 20 years.
CUCSU election was held six times after the CU established in 1966. First CUCSU poll was held in 1970 when Mohammad Ibrahim was elected the first vice-president (VP).
Last CUCSU election was held in 1990. Nazim Uddin was elected VP and Azim Uddin General Secretary and Mabubur Rahman Shamim assistant general secretary.
The university authorities suspended CUCSU in 1990 after the Chhatra Oikya leader Farukuzzaman was killed in a bloody clash with Islami Chhatra Shibir. Since then CUCSU remains inoperative and the election is not being held.
Due to lack of interest of university authorities and non-cooperation of student leaders, CUCSU election could not be held in the last 20 years. CUCSU, situated in the middle of central library, arts faculty and science faculty, is totally inactive now.
The general students are facing multi-farious problems for want of active CUCSU. They are being deprived of cultural and extracurricular activities for want of central students union. They cannot put forward their demands to the university authorities as there is no designated student leader.
The absence of an elected CUCSU leads the student organisations to be unaccountable and they try to dominate the campus with muscle power.
General students called on the university authorities to hold CUCSU polls for greater interest of the students. They also urged the political leaders to play an active role for holding the election, shunning partisan or personal interest.
They hope that if CUCSU plays its role, miseries of the general students will be lessened to some extent.
Ershad Hossain, CU unit general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), said CUCSU could never fulfill demands of general students as its elected leaders were not dedicated to their jobs.
He said CUCSU election is now demand of the time and the university authorities should arrange it, creating conducive atmosphere.
Samajtantrik Chhatra Front President Probal Mojumder said for regaining democratic environment among the student organisations, there is no alternative to an active CUCSU. To establish student's rights on the campus, CU authorities should hold CUCSU polls soon, Probal added.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) CU unit Joint Secretary Nesarul Islam Nazmul said CUCSU election should be held as soon as possible as it is the hub of cultural activities of university. Due to an inactive CUCSU, general students are being deprived of cultural activities. CUCSU will get back it's lost glory soon if election is held, Nazmul said.
Mostafa Shakerullah, Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), CU unit, said a lively CUCSU can fulfill general students' demand. But the university authority is very much indifferent in this regard. The university authority doesn't want to hold CUCSU election showing the excuse of non-cooperation of student organisations at CU.
The left-leaning organisations Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Chhatra Federation, Chhatra Union and Chhatra Moitry pressed their demand for holding CUCSU election on various occasions.
Prof Dr M Sekander Chowdhury, newly elected general secretary of Chittagong University Teachers' Association (CUTA), also emphasised holding CUCSU election immediately.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Alauddin said they eagerly want a vibrant CUCSU. If there is an active students union, it will be very much helpful for arranging cultural activities, he added.
For this, students, irrespective of party affiliation should come forward and create a favourable environment, Prof Alauddin said.