Several student organisations on Wednesday evening staged a protest procession and sit-in at Dhaka University, demanding the dissolution of the existing Dhaka University syndicate body, labeling it illegal and complicit in fascism.
The students began their protest procession from Madhu鈥檚 Canteen, marching through various campus areas, including the Shadow, Hall Para and finally arriving at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, where they held a sit-in.
During the sit-in, students chanted slogans such as, 鈥楧own with the syndicate of fascism鈥檚 allies鈥� 鈥楧ismantle Nizam Bhuiya鈥檚 syndicate鈥� and 鈥榙issolve the syndicate responsible for violence on campus.鈥�
They vowed to continue their protests as long as the alleged illegal syndicate remained in power.
Mozammel Haque, the organizational secretary of the Socialist Students鈥� Front, DU unit, said, 鈥楳embers of the Blue panel who have served Awami League interests still hold syndicate positions. In the post-uprising period, this illegal syndicate is meeting today. Those who allowed police into the campus and authorised violence against students cannot be part of the syndicate.鈥�
He demanded immediate DUCSU elections and future syndicate meetings only proceeding with DUCSU representatives. 鈥楾oday鈥檚 meeting between DU鈥檚 administration and the illegal syndicate is unacceptable.鈥�
Later, the Dhaka University vice-chancellor came out to listen to the students鈥� demands, where he faced a lot of questions and criticism on various issues, from the students.
Calling for calm, he stated, 鈥榊ou brought me to the office. If you no longer want me here, I will leave.鈥�
When students asked how the VC could meet with Syndicate members allegedly involved in violent acts against students, he replied, 鈥榃e have already managed to replace three members after considerable effort. We currently have six members with us, and we are awaiting legal advice to determine the validity of others elected at that time.鈥�
In response to questions about DUCSU, the VC said, 鈥楧UCSU is our top priority.鈥�