VC rejects demand, threatens lawsuit: Liton

Dhaka University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhteruzzaman has said to have rejected the demands of a fresh schedule to Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu).

“The VC has rejected our demand,” Liton Nandi, leader of the leftist panel, told reporters after handing a memorandum demanding fresh Ducsu election schedule in three days.

“Instead, he said the university will file a case against those trying to create anarchy and chaos at campus,” said the Ducsu election panel member of Progressive Students’ Alliance.

Nurul Haque Nur, the VP-elect of Ducsu, along with other representatives of the five panels before the office of Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Akhteruzzaman on March 13, 2019. They handed a memorandum to the VC demanding fresh election schedule to Ducsu within three days. Photo: Palash Khan

The Daily Star tried to reach Vice Chancellor Prof Akhteruzzaman via mobile phone immediately, but his secretary said he was in a meeting with teachers.

Before handing the memo, Aroni Samonti Khan, leader of the independent panel had announced that the five panels of Ducsu election will go for tougher programmes if their demand for a fresh schedule is not met in three days.

Also during the protest before Registrar Building, Faruque Hossain, a leader of the quota reformist panel, demanded withdrawal of the cases filed against the demonstrators.

Nurul Haque Nur, vice president-elect of Ducsu, was present when a delegation went up to the office of the VC to hand over the memo for a fresh election schedule.

It is to be noted that the vice chancellor had previously termed the election “free and fair except for some incidents” and declined a re-election to Ducsu.

WHAT HAPPENED IN DUCSU ELECTION?

The 28-year-long wait to Ducsu election was marred in election boycott of all the major panels over allegations of irregularities and vote rigging.

Only Chhatra League was the major panel left contesting in the election.

The opposition panels exploded in protests after boycotting the election and protested in campus demanding a re-election to Ducsu. They called a student strike.

The leaders of five panels participating in Ducsu election - comprising of leftists, independents and quota reformists - parading Dhaka University campus on March 13, 2019 before handing a three-day ultimatum to Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhteruzzaman. Photo: Palash Khan

Proof of irregularities was found in Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, for which the provost was relieved of duties yesterday. Stashed unstamped ballots were found in Ruqayyah Hall.

Also, there has been physical assault on Nurul Haque Nur and another attempted attack on leftists’ panel leader Liton Nandi.

Later, in the results announced in the wee hours of Tuesday, Nur was announced as the VP candidate, Chhatra League’s Golam Rabbani as secretary, and Saddam as assistant general secretary.