DUCSU directed to follow law, administration warns of strict action if not complied

Dhaka University authorities have said various activities of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) are not consistent with the university’s existing laws, rules, policies and administrative structure. The administration has also stated that strict administrative action will be taken against those concerned if any structure is constructed without university approval, a separate administrative system is introduced or an attempt is made to establish a parallel structure. At the same time, it has been informed that no compromise will be made in protecting the dignity of the history of the Liberation War.

These remarks were made in a statement issued by the public relations office of Dhaka University on Monday (September 14).

The statement said the foundation stone of the July Memorial was inaugurated on the university mall on August 5 with the aim of preserving the memory of the July mass uprising. It was inaugurated in the presence of the vice-chancellor of the university, members of the university family and members of the families of the martyrs.

According to the administration, under Article 24(A) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973, the responsibility for supervision, maintenance and control of university property is vested in the Syndicate. On the other hand, according to the note of Section 4 of Chapter XIV of the Dhaka University Ordinance and Regulations, the students’ union will take any decision subject to the direction of the vice-chancellor of the university.

However, the authorities claimed that the memorials installed by DUCSU under the name ‘Nirbhik July’ on the west side of the DUCSU building adjacent to the Arts Building and in front of the central library were constructed without any permission or discussion with the Syndicate or the vice-chancellor of the university. The statement also mentioned that this is beyond the jurisdiction of DUCSU according to the university law.

In addition, the university authorities have been informed that the display of photos of the then Governor General of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the then student organization leader Abdul Malek in the DUCSU collection room has also come to their notice.

The statement said the display of photos of persons conflicting with the history of the Language Movement and the independence of Bangladesh in the university’s collection room is in no way acceptable. Strict administrative action will be taken against those concerned in this incident in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the university.

The administration has also objected to the launching of a website for the evaluation of university teachers without approval by DUCSU. The authorities claimed that teacher evaluation is an important academic and institutional matter of the university. No individual, organization or students’ union can introduce a separate teacher evaluation system on their own initiative.

At the same time, the statement mentioned that personal information of teachers has been published on that website, which is a punishable offence under the law.

The university authorities said Dhaka University has its own policy for teacher evaluation and it has been approved at the highest level of the university. The process of implementing that policy is underway. Therefore, the initiative to introduce a separate teacher evaluation system outside the approved policy is not acceptable.

The statement further said that although DUCSU is an important student representative institution, all its activities must be conducted within the laws, rules, policies and administrative structure of the university. Any attempt to establish a parallel structure or process by bypassing the administrative authority of the university will be strictly resisted.

The authorities also said no compromise will be made in protecting the institutional discipline of the university and the dignity of the history of the Language Movement and the Liberation War. The statement also warned that strict administrative action will be taken against those concerned in accordance with the existing rules if any structure is constructed or a separate administrative system is introduced without approval.