The kind of student politics campuses need
It was ultimately student politics which toppled the Hasina regime. But this was a different iteration of the concept, as opposed to the party-based violence that has come to dominate campuses across Bangladesh
It was midnight. On 17 July, something unthinkable happened at Dhaka University.
A notice, on the letterhead of Ruqayyah Hall, was circulated. It declared that student politics had been banned within the hall. The announcement, signed by the provost, was stunning.
Politics banned!? And that too from the most prominent women's residential hall at Dhaka University?
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The news spread like wildfire. Within hours, other halls followed suit, one after another. For Dhaka University students, throughout the night, it felt like a series of victories, liberating one part of their territory after another.
By the next day, it had spread all over the country.
Unlike foreign countries, we do not have an overall social ecosystem for student government. We still lack certain cultural standards, maintenance of a code of conduct, and a level of tolerance. Student government will be possible once we develop these aspects
While the mighty Sheikh Hasina was still in power, the Chhatra League was chased out from almost every campus. No one could have imagined this even the day before.
So, why did this happen? Is campus politics really that bad?
We have seen the tragic death of BUET's Abrar Fahad in October 2019 — a chilling example of how dangerous campus politics can be. And while Abrar's case is perhaps an outlier in terms of the extreme heights the Chhatra League's (student wing of the Hasina-led Awami League government) brutality reached — there are hundreds of other cases.
Other students could have met a similar fate but narrowly escaped. "Being in a Dhaka University hall under the control of the ruling party's student wing is like enduring torture, but we have no other choice," said Masum Billah, a third-year student at the institution's journalism department.
The miserable state of current campus politics, and what people feel about it, was well reflected in a poll conducted by Prothom Alo on 14 August. The poll asked the public whether they believe banning student politics in educational institutions is justified.
The results overwhelmingly showed that 93% of over 350,000 respondents agreed with the ban. In contrast, only 5% disagreed, and 2% had no opinion on the matter.
Given the historical significance of student politics in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of the country's independence and democratic movements, the poll results suggest a shift in public sentiment. The overwhelming support for the ban may indicate a desire for a more academically focused and less politically charged environment in educational institutions.
Party politics vs student politics
Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, a former professor at Dhaka University, argues that what passes for student politics today bears little resemblance to the welfare-oriented activism of the past.
"This is not real student politics," he said.
The line between party politics and student politics at our campuses has been blurred.
Party politics involves organised groups vying for power, with the aim of influencing government policy and decision-making. It often involves strategic manoeuvring, campaigning, and alliances to achieve political goals.
In contrast, student politics is centred around addressing campus-specific issues, representing student interests, and student welfare. While party politics can shape broader societal structures, student politics typically deals with immediate concerns within educational institutions, such as campus facilities, student rights, and academic policies. The former aims at governing and policy influence on a larger scale, while the latter focuses on advocacy and reform within the academic environment.
It is out of the fear of party politics in the name of student politics that some students want a complete ban.
Shahriar Islam, a 4th year student at Dhaka University, said, "Student politics should completely be banned. Because though some people talk about DUCSU [Dhaka University Central Students' Union], which is supposed to be out of partisan politics, is it really possible?
"I worry that party people will enter it and dominate," he added.
His concern is exemplified through teacher politics. Teachers have independent "colour" groups (blue group, white group etc) but they also have close ties to mainstream political parties. "I rather prefer the private university approach; they are club-based, not party-based, and work for students," Shahriar said.
Some students prefer the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) model.
"I like how they've done it in BUET — no student politics, no teacher politics," said Labib Rashid Inan, a master's student at Dhaka University.
"Institutions need to be free from the effects of political party's agendas. As for how student rights and welfare will be ensured, just like in the past and in recent movements, general students will speak up and take a stance regardless of their political leanings," Inan added.
Protesting students, who led the quota reform movement, do not want party-based politics either.
"We don't want party-backed student organisations. When such organisations exist, they are led by non-students who prioritise their own party over the welfare of general students," said Abdul Kader, one of the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement.
A similar sentiment was echoed by another key coordinator, Hasnat Abdullah, "No party politics should be on campus, that's our stand. We are all in for DUCSU. "
Student politics in private universities
Student politics is banned on private university premises. "Even students do not want any political party presence in private universities," said Dr Mahbubur Rahman, professor of Political Science and former chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at North South University.
"Student politics give power to certain people and that power can be misused. We have seen the ugly side of politics in the country. And we don't want to see it on campus," said Nuzhat Anwar, a student at American International University - Bangladesh (AIUB).
Private university authorities believe that students can be politically aware even without the presence of political organisations, as it has been seen in this revolution where they did not hesitate to play the right role at the right time.
Politics in private universities can primarily be considered club-based.
"Like other universities, North South University has clubs and social-cultural organisations that contribute to political awareness. Students themselves have drafted and are following the constitutions of these organisations," said Dr Rahman.
"Unlike foreign countries, we do not have an overall social ecosystem for student government. We still lack certain cultural standards, maintenance of a code of conduct, and a level of tolerance. Student government will be possible once we develop these aspects," he added.
Imran Matin, the executive director of the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, argues that campus politics should foster intellectual engagement and provide a structured platform for political discourse. "Student politics should prioritise policy discussions, analysis and student governance, ensuring that students' voices are meaningfully represented," he said.
After playing a key role in the 2024 revolution, private universities proved themselves politically significant. Matin also emphasises the importance of bringing private universities into the fold of campus politics, but insists that this involvement should be strictly about student governance and separate from mainstream politics.
But there are risks associated with student politics in private universities as, given the political culture in Bangladesh, there may be attempts to influence student bodies, which could spoil the campus environment.
Student body elections
Almost all universities across the world have some form of campus politics, but there is a catch. Such 'student politics' does not function like what we see in Bangladesh. And, in its current form here — or at least as was seen before 5 August — it is certainly not what students want.
Student politics in the US and Europe revolve around student governments and unions that represent student interests on campus. In the US, student governments are elected bodies focusing on campus-specific issues like mental health, diversity, and student rights, often engaging in activism and collaborating with university administrations.
In Europe, student unions tend to have a more formalised role, often integrated into national education systems and involved in broader issues like tuition fees, student welfare, and educational reform. While US student governments emphasise campus life, European student unions often engage in national policy discussions and align with broader political movements.
To revive meaningful student politics, Professor Haq advocates for regular DUCSU elections and the establishment of student unions in colleges, operating under a controlled constitution. "The politics within educational institutions can help keep national politics in check, at least to some extent," Haq suggests.
For reformation, the institution may ban campus politics for one or two years, but it should be definite and announced beforehand.
Why we need student politics
It was ultimately student politics which toppled the Hasina regime. And those leaders are now expected to come into national politics soon, with two already serving as advisers to the interim government. This would have been impossible without campus politics.
Campus politics is, undeniably, essential. Around the world, student politics plays a crucial role in shaping future leaders who go on to participate in national politics. Campuses serve as a pipeline for national leadership. We also see in Western universities that campus politics protect students' welfare.
"Politics should have a place on campus, but it must serve the interests of students and be grounded in democratic values. It can help students develop leadership skills, enhance teamwork, and increase social and political awareness," said a student who has served as a vice president of Dhaka University Chhatra League. "However, it is crucial to ensure that politics does not lead to violence, intimidation, or disruption of the educational environment," he added.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, a seasoned politician and former general secretary of Chattogram University Central Students' Union (CUCSU), advocates keeping the universities open for all politics, but he asks for a principled approach to it.
"Student unions like DUCSU are important, and for organisations like DUCSU, party politics is also important. They should co-exist for real democratic practice," he said, adding, "For the wrongdoing of one party, other student-led political organisations should not be punished."
He also warns the political parties against becoming overly reliant on student organisations.
