Rebellion in DUCSU Elections: Democratic Students’ Council Faces Internal Splits

Dhaka, August 28, 2025 – The Democratic Students’ Council, a prominent student organization at Dhaka University, is witnessing internal turmoil in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. Initially, the organization, under its panel ‘Anti-Discrimination Students’ Parliament,’ nominated Hasibul Islam for the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary. However, just three days after the panel announcement, Hasibul declared a ‘rebellion’ by running independently for the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) post.

Hasibul, a key organizer of the Democratic Students’ Council’s Dhaka University unit, explained his decision to Prothom Alo, stating that friends and well-wishers advised him that his chances of winning were higher in the AGS position. “That’s why I chose to contest for this post,” he said.

Hasibul is not alone in defying the organization’s panel. Three other leaders from the Democratic Students’ Council—Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, Sanjana Afifa (Aditi), and Ashikur Rahman (Jim)—have also announced their independent candidacies for the AGS post. Additionally, Ashrefa Khatun, the organization’s central spokesperson, is contesting the AGS post as part of the official panel. In total, five leaders from the Democratic Students’ Council are vying for the AGS position, raising concerns on campus about potential vote splitting in posts with multiple candidates. Despite this, the leadership of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Parliament remains optimistic, asserting that the presence of multiple candidates will not significantly impact their electoral prospects. The ‘rebel’ candidates, however, are confident of victory. The Democratic Students’ Council was formed in February following the July mass uprising, led by a faction of former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement. In this DUCSU election, their panel is named the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Parliament. However, internal dissent is evident, with four leaders contesting as ‘rebels’ for the AGS post and at least four others running independently for various secretarial positions. Additionally, three members are contesting for member posts outside the organization’s panel. The panel had finalized Abdul Kader for Vice President (VP) and Abu Baker Mazumdar for General Secretary (GS) well in advance. For the AGS post, discussions initially included central member secretary Zahid Ahsan, central leader Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, and Hasibul Islam. Although Tahmid’s name was initially finalized, Ashrefa Khatun was ultimately selected as the panel’s candidate. Tahmid, now running independently for AGS, told Prothom Alo, “During the panel formation process, it was decided that anyone could contest independently. This hasn’t created any rift among us. The four of us running independently have distinct voter bases, and this can be seen as a strategic move.” Sanjana Afifa, another ‘rebel’ candidate for AGS, cited two reasons for her independent run. First, the organization failed to announce a complete panel or provide alternative arrangements for those excluded until the last day of nomination submissions. Second, she alleged external influences in the organization’s decision-making process, stating, “Decisions are made by a small group, not through a democratic process. Meetings are held only to announce decisions, often dictated by external forces from the ‘ministerial quarters.’ This has exposed the organization’s weak foundation, especially during the DUCSU elections.” For the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary post, Abdullah Salehin, joint member secretary, and Abu Sayeed, joint convener of the university unit, are running as ‘rebel’ candidates. Similarly, for the Health and Environment Secretary post, Sabbir Ahmed is the official candidate, while Shahriar Mohammad Yamin, a joint member secretary, is contesting as a ‘rebel.’ The Democratic Students’ Council has not officially announced a panel for hall union elections, but at least 57 of its leaders are contesting in various hall unions. Some leaders, like Muktasen Moktar and Azizul Haq, resigned from their posts to run independently in hall elections. Muktasen is contesting for the VP post in Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, while Azizul is running for the VP post in Masterda Surja Sen Hall. Azizul told Prothom Alo, “Decisions in the Democratic Students’ Council are made by a small group without a democratic process. Meetings are merely for announcing decisions, often influenced by external forces. This has weakened the organization’s foundation, which has become more evident during the DUCSU elections.” Umaima Fatema, a former spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement, was rumored to contest under the Democratic Students’ Council’s panel but instead formed a separate panel called ‘Independent Students’ Unity’ and is running for the VP post. Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, who resigned from the Democratic Students’ Council, is contesting for the Career Development Secretary post under Umaima’s panel. Additionally, Mahin Sarker, a former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement and joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed a separate panel called the United Students’ Parliament. The NCP expelled him for announcing the panel without party approval. Sabbir Uddin and Bayezid Hasan, leaders of the Democratic Students’ Council, are contesting for member posts under Mahin’s panel. Abu Baker Mazumdar, the GS candidate of the Democratic Students’ Council, defended the presence of multiple candidates, telling Prothom Alo, “Having multiple candidates from the organization in one post is an electoral strategy. No disciplinary action will be taken against those running independently.”