RU hall union leader alleges Rucsu pressure to drop ‘mob justice’ debate topic

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) has been accused of pressuring the Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall Union to drop a sub-topic “lack of accountability and mob justice” from the motion of a satirical debate competition.

Badhon Biswas, assistant secretary for debate and literature of the hall union, made the allegation, saying Rucsu Debate and Literature Secretary Imran Laskar told him over the phone that the union would not provide funding if the sub-topic remained in the motion.

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The satirical debate, organised by the hall union, is based on the motion: “In a world of problems, I am the best; therefore, I must not be removed in the national interest.”

Badhon said the topic of lack of accountability and mob justice was particularly relevant to Bangladesh’s current reality.

He added that Rucsu’s Debate and Literature section had initially offered financial assistance but later advised him to replace the topic after reviewing the motion. Badhon said he proposed changing it to “lack of accountability and abuse of power,” but Rucsu did not agree. “I will not change the motion. It’s final,” he said, adding that the programme would be held even if if Rucsu withdrew assistance.

Imran Laskar denied pressuring the hall union, saying Rucsu had rules and policies governing its support for debate competitions. “We have informed clubs and hall unions we have already supported that they should refrain from organising debates on topics that could create disorder,” he said.

Imran added that other clubs and hall unions had followed Rucsu’s rules, but the Ziaur Rahman Hall Union prepared banners and posters without final discussion.

He said Rucsu had asked the hall union to add topics related to the July Uprising, but the request was rejected. As a result, the Debate and Literature section later requested that its name not be included on the debate’s banner.