For the first time in DUCSU history, a Shibir-backed panel has secured a sweeping victory. The "United Students' Alliance," backed by Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, won 23 out of 28 posts, including the top three positions.
The results have sparked mixed reactions among former DUCSU leaders, with reflections ranging from cautious acceptance to warnings about ideological pitfalls.
Students know best why they chose whom: Manna
Speaking to Stream, twice-elected DUCSU Vice President (1979 and 1980) Mahmudur Rahman Manna stressed that students' choices must be respected.
"The students' verdict is what matters most. It is the university students who cast their votes. In this context, they represent the people, and the people are always supreme. Those whom they have elected will now take responsibility, address the problems, and lead the movements.
He viewed the election in a positive light, pointing out that it was held fairly compared to many other elections in the country.
"A free and credible vote itself is an achievement," Manna said.
"Such democratic exercises can help the country move forward in a positive direction."
About the sweeping victory, Manna said, "I don't have any special reaction because they haven't taken responsibility yet, nor have they started working. Therefore, I don't see any reason to react at this moment."
No room for confusion over Liberation War: Mushtaq Hossain
Former DUCSU GS (1989) Mushtaq Hossain congratulated the winning alliance while offering an interpretation of their victory.
"Students have suffered for years under dominance, injustice, and mismanagement. Perhaps they thought Shibir deserved a chance, as the group is seen by some as disciplined, value-based, and capable of building a safer campus environment," he said.
Hossain referred to Shibir's role in the 2024 mass uprising, suggesting that some students may have perceived the group as active in national movements. "This result reflects a willingness among students to try something different to clean up the campus and resolve issues," he argued.
However, he cautioned the new leadership about their biggest vulnerability, the Liberation War, the language movement, and questions of national honour.
"If they falter on these points, no organisational strength will save them. History shows that students unite instantly when these values are undermined," he said.
He advised the alliance to keep its promises and prioritise student welfare, and to avoid controversial positions on the liberation war.
Students' verdict is what matters most: Khairul Kabir Khokon
Khairul Kabir Khokon, GS in 1990, welcomed the election but raised serious concerns about fairness.
"We had hoped for a transparent, undisputed election that would uphold Dhaka University's glorious tradition. Unfortunately, allegations of irregularities have surfaced, which is regrettable," he noted.
Referring to the 2019 DUCSU polls, Khokon said, "There was a lot of controversy in that election too, although Nurul Haque Nur won. Six years later, when DUCSU elections were held again, we had hoped for a better and more impartial process. However, complaints have once again emerged. Students have raised concerns, saying that the vice chancellor and the administration are biased, which is regrettable."
On the Shibir-backed victory, Khokon pointed out that the panel contested under the banner of "United Students' Alliance," not Shibir directly. "This is a reality — they didn't run formally under Shibir's name. Still, the students' decision must be respected," he stressed.
"The students' verdict is paramount. If they have truly elected this panel, that choice must be respected. Yet, the university administration cannot escape scrutiny, as significant questions about its impartiality remain."
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