Residential halls at DU impose ban on student politics; enforcing rules remains vague
Dhaka University (DU) has imposed a ban on all forms of student politics within its residential halls, effective from July 17, 2024. The ban, announced by DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed and Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan, includes both overt and covert political activities within the dormitories.
The decision comes in response to the ongoing protests sparked by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) announcing committees for 18 halls on Friday morning. The VC emphasized that the hall administrations will control political activities based on mutual agreement with students, but expressed a clear intention to avoid "repressive politics" at the hall level.
The university administration is currently focusing on investigating issues like cyberbullying and secret political activities. They are also engaging in consultations with various stakeholders to ensure the enforcement of the ban is fair and effective.
The next steps in the decision-making process include the formation of committees that will consult registered student organizations, general students, and other stakeholders at the halls. These committees are expected to offer recommendations regarding managing political activities in halls soon. Ongoing negotiations and discussions between the university administration and student organizations are underway to seek consensus on what forms of political activity, if any, can be allowed within the halls, while ensuring student safety and campus order.
Despite the ban, the JCD has defied it by announcing new hall committees for 18 halls on August 9, 2025, and insists that their hall committees remain intact following meetings with the VC. Some student groups, like the Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, have been vocal in their opposition to the ban, with many of their leaders participating in the protests.
Political analyst and anthropology Professor Zobaida Nasreen criticized the approach as undemocratic, while Jabir Ahmed Jubel of Revolutionary Student Unity stated that the proctor does not have the authority to ban hall politics and that banning it is not a solution.
With the Dhaka University's Central Students' Union (Ducsu) elections scheduled for 9 September, the university is yet to fully enforce the ban in practice but remains committed to controlling and regulating student politics through an administrative framework and dialogue with student bodies.
Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of Students Against Discrimination, warned of stricter action if the committees were not suspended by Friday night. In Rokeya Hall, all students participated in the protests with the goal of keeping politics out. The university's Provost Standing Committee continues to meet to discuss the ban and the ongoing talks with student groups.
As the university navigates these challenging times, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days. The university administration's commitment to dialogue and consensus-building offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
[1] Dhaka Tribune. (2025, August 10). Dhaka University bans student politics in halls, JCD defies ban. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2025/08/10/du-bans-student-politics-in-halls-jcd-defies-ban
[2] Bangladesh Today. (2025, August 11). DU Proctor bans student politics in halls, JCD announces committees. Retrieved from https://bangladeshtoday.com/du-proctor-bans-student-politics-in-halls-jcd-announces-committees/
[3] The Financial Express. (2025, August 12). DU imposes ban on hall politics, consultations continue. Retrieved from https://www.financialexpress.com.bd/education/du-imposes-ban-on-hall-politics-consultations-continue/349534
- Amidst the ongoing controversies, various stakeholders rally for the significance of education-and-self-development, expressing concerns about the Dhaka University's ban on student politics within residential halls.
- General-news outlets have reported the escalating political tension between the university administration and student organizations, as the ban on hall politics fuels debates about the legitimacy of such restrictions and the role of politics in shaping young minds.
