DU Warns of Action Over Recent DUCSU Activities

The University of Dhaka authorities have said several recent activities of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) are inconsistent with the university’s existing laws, regulations, policies and administrative structure.

The administration has warned of strict administrative action against those involved in allegedly installing memorials without approval, displaying photographs of individuals considered controversial in the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh’s independence at the DUCSU museum, and launching an unauthorised website to evaluate university teachers.

The university made the position known in a statement issued on Monday afternoon and signed by Farrukh Mahmud, deputy director of the university’s Public Relations Office.

The statement said the university administration upholds the spirit of the July Mass Uprising. As part of efforts to preserve the memory of the uprising, the foundation stone of the July Memorial was laid at the university’s Mall premises on August 5 in the presence of the vice-chancellor, members of the university community and families of those killed.

According to the university authorities, Article 24(a) of the University of Dhaka Order, 1973, places the responsibility for supervising, maintaining and controlling university property with the Syndicate.

They also referred to a note under Clause 4 of Chapter XIV of the university’s ordinances and regulations, which states that the students’ union must take decisions subject to the directions of the vice-chancellor.

Alleged Unauthorised Memorial Installations

The university authorities alleged that DUCSU had installed two memorials named “Nirbhik July”—one on the western side of the DUCSU building adjacent to the Arts Faculty and another in front of the Central Library—without obtaining approval from or consulting the university Syndicate or vice-chancellor.

The administration said such activities fall outside DUCSU’s jurisdiction under the university’s laws.

Objections to Photographs of Jinnah and Abdul Malek

The statement also said the university authorities had taken note of the display of photographs of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the former governor-general of Pakistan, and Abdul Malek, a former student organisation leader, at the DUCSU museum.

The authorities said displaying photographs of individuals whose roles or legacies are considered incompatible with the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh’s independence was “in no way acceptable” at a university museum.

The administration warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible in accordance with the university’s existing rules and regulations.

The display of Jinnah’s photographs has sparked controversy at DUCSU in recent days. The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding their removal. During the controversy, a student tore down three photographs of Jinnah from the museum.

Later, activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra Federation reportedly placed a photograph showing former Jamaat-e-Islami amir Ghulam Azam being beaten with shoes in protest against the display of Jinnah’s photographs.

Objection to Unauthorised Teacher-Evaluation Website

The university administration also objected to the launch of a website by DUCSU to evaluate university teachers without prior approval.

The statement said teacher evaluation was an important academic and institutional matter, and no individual, organisation or students’ union could introduce a separate evaluation system on its own initiative.

It also alleged that the website launched by DUCSU had published personal information about teachers, which the university described as a punishable offence under the law.

The University of Dhaka already has an approved policy for evaluating teachers’ teaching performance, the statement said, adding that the process of implementing the policy was under way.

The administration said introducing a separate evaluation system outside the approved policy was unacceptable and could damage the university’s reputation.

‘No Scope for Dual Administration’

The university authorities said there was no scope for establishing any form of dual administration at the University of Dhaka.

Although DUCSU is an important student-representative institution, all of its activities must be conducted within the university’s laws, regulations, policies and administrative framework, the statement said.

The administration warned that any attempt to establish a parallel structure or process by bypassing the university’s administrative authority would be firmly resisted.

The statement added that the university would not compromise on institutional discipline or the dignity of the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

It warned that strict administrative action would be taken under the existing rules against those involved in constructing structures without university approval or launching separate administrative mechanisms.