Md Abidul Islam Khan is the vice president (VP) candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel for the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election. Speaking candidly to Stream ahead of the polls, he discussed their plans and the current realities, with a special focus on cyberbullying.
Stream: What are your main challenges in the DUCSU election?
Abidul Islam Khan: In this election, the biggest challenge for me is cyberbullying. A certain group, failing to confront us politically, is continuously carrying out propaganda against us online. However, I believe that the students of Dhaka University are mature enough. They will ignore these false campaigns and exercise their right to vote properly. Keeping general students away from such fake propaganda is a major challenge for us.
Stream: After the sudden postponement of the DUCSU election, you played another role. Will you share that experience?
Abidul Islam Khan: Yes, that day I was campaigning at the VC Chattar. Suddenly, a journalist from Jamuna TV called me to inform me that the DUCSU election had been postponed. I couldn't take the matter lightly. I quickly called my panel for a meeting. The writ was against one candidate, so the verdict should have been in favour of or against that individual. But here, there was an attempt to halt the entire election process. I felt that it was a planned conspiracy — an effort to destabilise Dhaka University. At that moment, the determination I had during the July-August movement came back to me. I immediately said that the election must take place properly and on time. Because if the DUCSU election were stopped, it could have had an impact on the national election as well.
Stream: In your opinion, is there any group's influence behind this conspiracy?
Abidul Islam Khan: I felt that the Dhaka University administration should have appointed a neutral lawyer for the writ petition. But the one who was appointed carries a specific ideology. As a result, we have developed doubts that through this step, there was an attempt to question the partiality of the election process.
Stream: If you win the DUCSU election, what will be your primary activities and priorities?
Abidul Islam Khan: First of all, I will establish new canteens across the campus and improve the quality of food. Especially, I want to open canteens quickly at Curzon Hall, Motahar, and Mokarram buildings. We will adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to food quality.
Secondly, strengthening campus security. To create a campus free of outsiders and vagabonds, we will divide the entire area into Red, Yellow, and Green zones, with controlled access.
Thirdly, creating on-campus job opportunities. Students often face difficulties relying solely on fees they get from conducting tuition. Therefore, priority will be given to students for part-time jobs in university-run shops, business establishments, and the Registrar's office. Additionally, initiatives will be taken to organise job fairs two to three times a year so that students can access employment and internship opportunities.
Stream: How do you see the atmosphere among students surrounding DUCSU?
Abidul Islam Khan: The 2019 DUCSU election was rigged. I was a member candidate at that time, but I couldn't even cast my own vote. Now, after a long 34 years, Dhaka University is moving towards a fair election. Students are receiving us positively, offering flowers and greetings. It feels like, finally, a participatory and accountable student politics is about to be established.
Stream: Many candidates around DUCSU are falling victim to cyberbullying, which is one of the major problems. Female students, in particular, are affected. What is your plan regarding this?
Abidul Islam Khan: After 5 August, we have observed that female students are regularly subjected to cyberbullying and moral policing — comments about wearing the orna, taking photos on campus, and even terrifying incidents like threats of sexual assault. This is unacceptable under any circumstance. Due to institutional failure, no exemplary punishment has been given. If I win DUCSU, we will form a dedicated cell where complaints related to harassment of women will be resolved within 30 days. To build a safe campus, we will adopt a zero-tolerance policy. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, can move freely on campus.
Stream: How safe do you want the campus to be for everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity?
Abidul Islam Khan: Our goal is to create an inclusive, discrimination-free, and harmonious campus. Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, or Muslim — every student will enjoy equal rights. There will be no divisions here. We believe that above all, we are Bangladeshis. We want to establish this idea throughout the campus.
Stream: It seems that this time, the votes from female students and Jagannath Hall will be crucial. Do you have any special strategy to attract this vote bank?
Abidul Islam Khan: I can say with great confidence that we have exclusive support in Jagannath Hall and the female student halls. This support is based on our long struggle, honesty, dedication, and the mindset to confront misgovernance. The voting dynamics of Jagannath Hall and the female halls will undoubtedly play a role in swinging the election results. Our representatives are visiting the female halls, and regular students are receiving them with great enthusiasm. We are also organising familiarisation meetings in the female halls. Additionally, we have gone door to door in every room of Jagannath Hall and received an unprecedented response there as well.
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