At Dhaka University (DU), the National Student Power (Jatiya Chhatra Shakti) has criticised the administration for its lack of initiative in celebrating Victory Month. During a press conference at the DU Journalists’ Association office on Wednesday night, leaders of the university chapter stated that this year’s campus lacks the usual war of liberation-oriented events and decorative lighting.
Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, president of the DU chapter of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, said that typically, Victory Month includes memorial events, exhibitions, and decorative lighting centred around the Liberation War. However, this year, the festive atmosphere is absent. He blamed the administration’s inaction and the indifference of Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU) representatives for the situation.
He added that following the earthquakes on 21 and 22 November, the administration hastily ordered halls to be vacated and suspended classes and exams. Students were forced to leave halls on just one day’s notice, which was criticised as undemocratic. Even though the holiday was extended to 28 December, there was no clear information provided regarding hall conditions, technical inspections, or progress of renovation works.
The president also expressed concern about distortion of Liberation War history. A DUCSU representative reportedly described the number of martyred and abused women freedom fighters as ‘thousands’, contradicting international reports that document over 400,000 victims. Jatiya Chhatra Shakti sees this use of ‘thousands’ as an attempt to distort history.
He concluded that the administration’s and elected representatives’ negligence is hindering Victory Month activities on campus. The unplanned holiday will exacerbate the session backlog, and leaving exam decisions to students is unreasonable. He also accused attempts to politically control the university ahead of national elections.
AJ