Protest erupts at JU demanding ban on hall-based politics

Following the recent formation of hall committees of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) unit at Jahangirnagar University, a protest erupted on the university campus demanding a ban on hall-based political committees and a complete prohibition of political activities within the residential halls.

The protest procession began around 8:30 pm from Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall. Students from Hall 21, Shaheed Rafiq-Jabbar Hall, Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall and Rabindranath Tagore Hall later joined, chanting slogans before gathering in the university’s Bot Tola area.

The protesters proceeded with their procession across the campus, moving by the university’s Shaheed Minar, New Arts Faculty, and Social Science Faculty and then gathered in front of the university’s vice chancellor’s residence.

Throughout the march, students chanted slogans like, “One, two, three, four; hall politics no more.”

Speaking at the event, a third-year student of JU, Mahmudul Hasan Limon, said, “During the July uprising, we ousted the Chhatra League from our halls. Now, we see another party trying to form hall committees, and tomorrow, yet another might attempt to do the same.”

“This is how they plan to revive the toxic guest-room culture and dormitory dominance once practised by Chhatra League. As residential students, we categorically reject all forms of student politics in our halls,” he added.

In response to the students’ protest, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamrul Ahsan said, “I cannot make any decisions on my own. Students have demanded a ban on student politics in the residential halls. We will meet with the administrative body to discuss the issue.”

“We will seek opinions from all students and make a decision based on the majority view,” he added.

LND/SAE