After the fall of the Awami League regime and the disappearance of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), a new generation of student leaders are emerging at Dhaka University (DU).
Many of these leaders endured physical assault, imprisonment, and routine harassment on campus when the BCL reigned supreme on campus.
The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections will shed light on how painful memories and personal struggle can shape the present and future politics.
A total of 48 candidates are running for the post of vice-president (VP). However, who among them stand out, and why?
Abidul Islam Khan, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal
One of the most talked about candidates is Abidul Islam Khan, the vice-president (VP) candidate backed by the pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
His candidacy is being seen as a way to reintroduce the existence of Chhatra Dal to DU campus after the fall of AL regime.
Under the AL regime, the Chhatra League cadres assaulted Chhatra Dal activists, evicted them from the dorms and had them arrested by police. Some were even prevented from participating in academic activities. Abid and his fellow activists have also been victims of this.
According to many within the Chhatra Dal, Abid's candidacy represents not just a political initiative, but it is also an attempt to evoke empathy from general students.
Abid had been at the forefront of various protests and movements before and after the July uprising. Recently, his appearance on various talk shows where he delivered impactful speeches, have further brought him into the spotlight.
The combination of organisational roots and personal experience has made him an influential VP candidate.
Abdul Kader, Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Sangsad
He is the VP candidate backed by the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad. A student of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Kader was one of the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination which spearheaded the mass uprising that toppled the AL regime.
From the quota reform movement and road safety movement in 2018 to the July uprising, Kader and his fellow activists found themselves being the target of repression. He was arrested in 2022 for organising a memorial for Buet student Abrar Fahad who was killed by the BCL.
He declared a 9-point demand during the July uprising. Following the uprising, he and fellow activists established Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, of which he is the convener for DU.
Furthermore, other July uprising leaders and National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders also publicly expressed support for. NCP Chief Organiser (southern region) Hasnat Abdullah has shared Kader's campaign photo, a move that could significantly influence voters' sentiment.
Tasnim Afroz Emi, Protirodh Porshad
The VP candidate of the left-wing student organisations is recognised as a brave and progressive student leader. In 2019, despite the influence of BCL, she was elected VP of Shamsun Nahar Hall union as an independent candidate.
In recent years, left-wing student activists have remained vocal on issues such as tuition hikes, accommodation crises and freedom of expression. Emi's candidacy is a testament to that continuing battle.
She has been a familiar face for her active participation in movements from the quota reform protests in 2018. After the July uprising, she joined the NCP but resigned later.
Umama Fatema, Independent Panel
Umama Fatema, another prominent face of the July uprising, is running for VP.
Various online news agencies and human rights organisations underscored the hostile environment surrounding female leadership in student activism. Many interpreted the hostility towards women as an attempt to undermine and sideline women leaders through defamation. Umama was one of their constant targets.
However, during the July uprising, she held the position of coordinator of the Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, and later took the lead in mobilising female students in the face of oppression. After the uprising, she became the spokesperson for the Students Against Discrimination.
Her independent bid is a challenge to dominance of traditional panel-based politics. But, her campaign is rooted more in her personal popularity than in strong organisational backings.
Shadik Kayem, Oikyabaddha Shikkharthi Jote (United Student Alliance)
He is the central publication secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Though his name did not feature prominently in the news during the July uprising or any other movements during the AL regime, his supporters say that he played a behind-the-scenes, policy-level role, and he met with other Shibir activists secretly on campus during the uprising.
With Shibir's strong organisational presence across various halls, an active online campaign may further strengthen his candidacy.
Bin Yamin Mollah, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad
Yamin, the VP candidate from Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, is one of the notable new faces gaining.
He first rose to fame during the quota reform movement in 2018, and currently serves as the president of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. In 2022, He was assaulted for planning a memorial for Abrar Fahad, and later was jailed for seven months.
Since the July uprising, he has been actively engaging with several movements.
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