BNP’s Rizvi raises concerns over JUCSU VP’s ‘magisterial’ actions

The VP should be fulfilling the duty of pursuing knowledge in the university, he says

BNP's senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has lashed out at Azizul Haque, vice-president (VP) of Dhaka University’s Surja Sen Hall, over fining a shopkeeper.

At a book-launching event at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday, Rizvi, the BNP’s senior joint secretary general, asked: “Has the person who became the university's VP been given magisterial powers?”

“Unauthorised shops may exist, but does the DUCSU VP have the power to fine them? He's imposing fines on them and then giving the money to a party's fund.”

Drawing from his own experience as a former VP of Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), Rizvi said: "He (the VP) should be fulfilling the duty of pursuing knowledge in the university, and teachers and students should be participating in that pursuit -- how much is that being ensured? Instead of doing that, you're imposing fines on what's legal and illegal."

Rizvi also argued that university authorities, not the VP, should address concerns regarding campus disturbances.

“We didn't examine who was operating a shop or market within the university. There are university authorities, an administration -- they should be looking into these things,” he said.

Referring to the recent fine imposed by Azizul, Rizvi expressed concern over the funds being allegedly directed to Jamaat Baitul Mal, calling it a deeply questionable act.

Azizul, who became the VP with the backing of Islami Chhatra Shibir, fined a shopkeeper Tk 3,000 on Sept 12 for allegedly keeping “tasting salt”.

He also gave the hall canteen 15 days to improve food quality and sparked social media backlash for scolding canteen workers over their attire.