JnU Correspondent

A large faction of Jagannath University (JnU) Chhatra Dal has declared the recently announced convening committee "unwanted" on campus, labeling it as a "pocket committee" comprising "non-students, irregular students, and individuals aligned with the Chhatra League."

On Tuesday (December 24), the central leadership of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal announced a 21-member convening committee, appointing Mehedi Hasan Himel from the Sociology Department (2008-09 session) as convener and Shamsul Arefin from the Bangla Department (2009-10 session) as member secretary. Following this announcement, several groups of JnU Chhatra Dal staged a protest in front of the university gate, setting fire and voicing their rejection of the committee.

Protesting activists alleged that those who have consistently led movements and implemented party programs despite risks to their lives have been excluded from the committee. Instead, irregular students and those who did not actively participate under the banner of Chhatra Dal have been given positions.

Several members of the newly formed committee expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the committee will fail to fulfill its purpose and will harm the Chhatra Dal's legacy of unity and glory on campus. They accused the central leadership of forming a "syndicate" to install their loyalists while ignoring the sacrifices of veteran activists.

Former Literary and Publication Secretary of JnU Chhatra Dal, Abdus Shukur Ayman, criticized the committee, saying, "After a long wait, a convening committee has been announced for JnU Chhatra Dal. However, this committee has been formed through a syndicate to place their own loyalists while excluding those who fought against the Awami regime on the streets. Active members from Batch 9 and Batch 11 have been ignored, and even former Chhatra League members who joined Chhatra Dal recently have been included. Some committee members are not even enrolled at JnU. We reject this committee outright."

Former Human Rights Affairs Secretary of JnU Chhatra Dal, Yasir Arafat, emphasized the need for inclusive leadership, stating, "We want participatory politics.

Third-year student and Chhatra Dal activist Atikur Rahman Tanzil expressed similar sentiments, saying, "Those who previously struggled to hold banners during protests are now leaders. Some committee members recently switched from Chhatra League to Chhatra Dal.

Earlier in the day, a press release signed by the central president of Chhatra Dal, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and general secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, announced the 21-member convening committee.

The central leadership has instructed the convening committee to form a full-fledged committee within 45 days through a conference.