Published: 11:53 AM, 03 August 2026
The Era and Solitude of Campus Politics
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Although the history of student politics in Bangladesh is a unique epic of glory, struggle and sacrifice, it has undergone extreme transformation today due to the passage of time. The uncompromising and ideological leadership that the student community of this country gave in the language movement of 1952, the great liberation war of 1971 and the anti-dictatorship movement of 1990 sounds like a fairy tale today. The politics of sacrifice of that time has come to the campuses of today and has largely become slaves of consumption, occupation and power. This transformation has not only led to the decline of political ideology, but has also put the psychology of the student community and the overall environment of the campus in a deep crisis.
In the campus politics of that time, the slogans were a spark of fire for the realization of rights and against injustice. Slogans like "I will take revenge for logic with logic", "Wake up, wake up, Bengalis, wake up" or "Your destination is Padma, Meghna, Jamuna" used to raise a tide of patriotism in the veins of ordinary students. The youth used to devote themselves to the struggle for communism, democracy and freedom by making a storm in a cup of tea. But in the past, those thunderous slogans have been transformed into praise and flattery of a specific person. Now, the walls of the campus echo with "The arrival of such and such brother, welcome" or "Whoever has the campus, his field is his".
In the cultural arena, student politics of that time was a fertile pasture of creativity, where songs and poems were the main tools of protest. With the melodies of mass songs and the poems of Sukanta-Nazrul, student leaders would shake the foundations of the bourgeoisie and the exploiters. Calls for social reform were made through plays and recitations on the open stages of the campus. But suddenly, that healthy culture has been replaced by subculture, DJ parties and flashy displays of power. Now, no procession can be heard singing life-affirming songs.
The conversations and chats of the student leaders of those days used to include world politics, philosophy, literature and the outline of the country's economic liberation. There would be hours of rational debates on the political philosophies of Karl Marx, Lenin or Bangabandhu at the tables of the university's sweet canteen or cafeteria. That wise conversation has suddenly turned into terrible flattery, where junior workers do not dare to express any independent opinion beyond "Ji Bhai", "Thik Bhai". Today's conversations revolve around who will control the seats in which hall, who will get how big a tender or if you do not salute an elder brother, you will have to collect plates from the hall - all such cheap and corrupt thoughts.
In terms of economic character, student politics of that time was completely selfless and shining with the glory of sacrifice. Student leaders used to spend their own pocket money and even collect bribes from their classmates to finance their politics. Those leaders, who came from middle-class or lower-middle-class families, would join the fight to change the fate of the country wearing torn sandals and a simple Punjabi. In contrast, the dark shadow of corporate and mafia systems has been added to the campus politics of the past. Today's student politics is a lucrative career for many, where getting positions means becoming the owner of huge money and getting a license to live a luxurious life. The horrific form of campus-based extortion that we see today did not exist at that time. At that time, businessmen respected student leaders because of their moral stance, not out of fear. And extortion has taken the form of an institutional festival, where a fixed rate of gratuity or percentage is deducted from the shops around the campus, the dining hall, and even the development projects worth crores of taka of the university. This money is collected in the name of "brother's fund" or "organizational expenses", which actually goes into the pockets of a few top leaders.
The hall seat trade has emerged as one of the ugliest and most inhuman aspects of campus politics of the past. At that time, hall seats were allotted purely on the basis of merit and through the administration, where student organizations only recommended to help poor students. But now the hall's public rooms and seats are controlled by student leaders, which is a modern prison of slavery for ordinary students. For a seat, first-year students have to attend political programs day after day and are subjected to mental and physical torture in torture cells called "guest rooms" night after night.
The politics of laziness has built the biggest wall between then and now. At that time, although the student organizations adopted the ideology of the main party, they had a kind of independent entity and sovereignty in their decision-making. Even in many national crises, student leaders would point out the mistakes and shortcomings of the senior leaders of the main party and show them the right path. But at that time, student politics has become a blind follower of the main party and a slavish army of baton charge.
This culture of party slaves has completely blocked the path of practicing healthy and free intellect on campuses. The student leaders of that time were the first protesting voices against the irregularities of the vice-chancellor or the university administration. However, the so-called student leaders of that time acted as a shield for the corruption and irregularities of the administration, because many times the vice-chancellors or teachers also got their positions through political lobbying.
If we examine the negative activities, it is seen that although there was violence in the politics of that time, it was mainly ideological conflict or resistance against state exploitation. But the violence of the time revolved only around internal conflicts, dominance of the hall, gambling, drug dealing and sharing of money from tenders. Atrocities like beating a talented student like Abrar Fahad inside the hall have left a permanent stain on the student politics of the time. Therefore, most ordinary students now do not look at the word student politics with respect or admiration, but rather consider it a synonym for fear.
The clanging of weapons has become a common sight on campuses of yesteryear, which was very rare in student politics of that time. The main weapons of the leaders of that time were pens, books, eloquence and moral force; before which even the barrel of a dictatorial gun would tremble. And in the past, sophisticated firearms, machetes and hockey sticks were used to cover the void of idealism. Practicing with weapons raised in broad daylight to defeat the opponent or to ensure the sharing of power among themselves has become a casual and brutal reality of current campus politics.
The participation of talented people gave student politics a unique height in those days. Only students who got first class in the university used to be the VP or GS of the student parliament and ordinary students considered them icons. Doing politics meant being very rich in education and knowledge. On the other hand, in the past, talent seemed to be the biggest enemy of student politics. Many of today's student leaders have fake student status, despite dropping out year after year, they occupy the hall room and engage in politics. As a result, talented and ordinary students are now hundreds of feet away from politics.
Student council elections in various universities including DUCSU were held regularly at that time, which was the main factory for creating new leadership. Through these elections, ordinary students would elect their representatives and accountability would be ensured. But in the past, student council elections were either closed or turned into a farce.
There is a huge difference between the past and the present in terms of influencing national politics. The student movements of that time used to determine the course of national politics, from Ayub Khan to Ershad - all the autocratic rulers were swept away by the student movement. However, the student politics of that time could not have any positive impact on national politics, but rather dragged the dirty and corrupt stream of national politics to the campus and ruined the educational environment.
In terms of women's participation and safety, that time was much more progressive and safe. In the student movement of that time, women leaders fought shoulder to shoulder on the streets with equal rights and respect, and they felt safe on campus. But at one time, heinous crimes like oppression of women, eve-teasing, and rape were also seen taking place on campuses under the umbrella of student politics.
Although the use of technology has added a new dimension to current campus politics, its misuse is more visible. At that time, the means of communication were leaflets, wall writing, and posters, which created a deep appeal in the minds of people. And at one time, social media was being used as a cheap tool to spread propaganda, cyberbullying opponents, and create a false image of themselves.
Analyzing the perspective of ordinary students, it can be seen that at that time, student politics was a shield to protect the rights of ordinary students. From improving the quality of food in dining halls to protesting salary increases, student leaders played a leading role in everything. As a result, ordinary students loved the leaders wholeheartedly and stood by them in times of trouble. But at the same time, ordinary students consider student politics as their main enemy.
In conclusion, although this comparative picture of campus politics in the past and present is very painful, this is our current cruel reality. However, despite the disappointment, the light of hope is that ordinary students of this country have repeatedly proven that they are not the ones to be cowed down against injustice. If campus politics is to regain its lost glory, then we must put an end to laziness and arrogance and bring about the rebirth of healthy, merit-based and independent student politics. We must once again be initiated into the mantra of patriotism and take an oath to enlighten the campuses with knowledge and science and the light of free thought.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an
essayist and a social
welfare adviser.
