Since the political landscape changed in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, the future of party-based student politics in universities has become a highly discussed topic. The 91žĢÆˇ, the country's oldest educational institution, is now at the center of this discussion. To understand the opinions of 91žĢÆˇ students on this debated student politics, a research team from the ‘Dhaka University Research Society’ conducted a survey titled "Students' Opinion on Party-based Student Politics and Political Activities at the 91žĢÆˇ". It is to mention that, the Dhaka University Research Society (DURS) started its journey on December 6, 2016, with the aim of encouraging university students in research, and is run by research-minded students of the 91žĢÆˇ.
From September 3, 2024, to September 11, 2024, students from 78 departments and 10 institutes of the 91žĢÆˇ participated, with a total of 2,237 participants. Students from admission sessions 2017-18 to 2023-24 mainly participated in this survey. A quantitative method was used to conduct this research. Cross-sectional survey method was used as the research design. This method has presented a comprehensive and integrated picture to understand the diversity of perceptions, experiences, and opinions about party politics among students from different sessions of the university.
All information and data were collected through an online survey (Google Form). A pilot survey was conducted before carrying out the main survey. The survey questionnaire was circulated from the verified online Facebook page and group of the 'Dhaka University Research Society'. Additionally, promotional campaigns were conducted on all social media platforms.
According to the survey results, 83.8% of students expect party-based student politics to be "completely banned" in terms of expectations for university party politics. Only 16% of students expect party-based student politics in a reformed form at the university. Only 0.2% expect party-based student politics to remain in its current state at the university.
88% of students believe that party-based student politics has ‘no importance’ on campus. A total of 96% of students believe that party-based student politics has a negative impact on the university's educational environment (of which 71% think it has a very negative impact and 25% think it has a negative impact). In contrast, 3% of students believe that party-based student politics has a positive impact on the university's educational environment (of which 1% think it has a very positive impact and 2% think it has a positive impact). 1% of students believe that party-based student politics has no impact on the university's educational environment.
As an alternative to banning party-based student politics, 81.9% of students have voted in favor of regular central student council (DUCSU) elections. Regarding the central student council and party-based student politics, 80% of students have expressed that they "want only student council, but not party-based student politics".
87.5% of students have mentioned abuse of power as the main impact of student politics. 87.3% of students mentioned mental pressure on general students, 84.7% mentioned the terrible guestroom culture, 77.2% mentioned politically motivated violence, 74.1% mentioned riots-turmoil, 68.8% mentioned failure to maintain neutrality, 68.7% mentioned the influence of national political parties, 11.4% mentioned opportunity creation in leadership, 4.6% mentioned creating fraternal relationships, and 4.5% mentioned other impacts.
The survey results also show that 94% of students do not support providing campus-based or hall-based party political committees. To the question ‘Do you support party-based student political meetings, gatherings, processions, and rallies in the university?’, 95% of students gave a negative answer; that is, 95% of students do not support party-based student political meetings, gatherings, processions, and rallies in the university. 81% of students expressed that political activities in the university have had a negative impact on their academic life.
Regarding the role of the university administration in conducting and controlling party-based student politics, 59% of students evaluated it as very unsatisfactory, 27% as unsatisfactory, 9% as moderate, 3% as satisfactory, and 1% as very satisfactory.
87% of students believe that party-based student politics at the university is not capable of creating true national leadership.
74% of students mentioned having negative experiences due to political activities, while only 26% of students expressed not having negative experiences. 90% of students do not wish to be associated with any political organization in the future.
Among the students participating in this survey, 86% stated that they have no involvement with any political organization (at the time of participating in the survey).
The majority of students participating in the survey do not expect any party-based student politics at the university. As reasons for this, they mentioned previous negative experiences, especially experiences of oppression and persecution (guestroom and guestroom culture, torture cell, forced participation in political processions and meetings, etc.). The deterioration of the university's educational environment due to party-based student politics, damage to students' physical and mental health, etc., were specifically mentioned.
Those students who expect student politics at the university mentioned future national leadership building and securing students' rights as reasons.
The recommendations based on the results of the discussed research survey are:
1) Banning party-based student politics: The majority of students (84%) have expressed opinions in favor of completely banning party-based student politics at the university, and 96% of students believe that party-based student politics at the university has a negative impact on the educational environment.
2) Revitalization and reform of DUCSU: A transparent, student-friendly, and accountable student council or DUCSU can act as a platform to keep students free from the influence of political parties and to raise their problems, and will maintain the process of democratic practice among students.
3) Formation of Education and Research Development Committee: In addition to forming an Education and Research Development Committee for improving the quality of education, innovation, and personal skill development, regular student-teacher exchange meetings can be arranged.
4) Ensuring a suitable environment for education and research: Students want to see the university as a center for education, research, arts and literature practice, and intellectual development. In their opinion, party-based student politics and its activities at the university disrupt the educational environment and divert students from their main academic activities.