The decision to observe a one-day mourning period at Dhaka University (DU) following the death of former Vice-Chancellor Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique has sparked controversy among students.
While the university administration announced the observance, many students voiced strong opposition, calling it an unjust tribute to a figure they view as divisive.
On Saturady, March 15, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, a student from the 2022–23 academic session, expressed his discontent in the private Facebook group 'Dhaka Bissobiddalay Shikkharthi Sangasad', writing, "It is shameful for us that DU has declared a day of mourning for the death of an accomplice of dictatorship."
Similar sentiments were echoed by Ashiq Jovan, who commented, "It should be obvious who is mourning Arefin Siddique so much."
Some students, however, criticised what they saw as selective outrage. Maisha Maliha pointed out, "The authorities already have countless flaws! I saw how many people were angry that his funeral prayer wasn’t held on campus, yet they are spreading false propaganda! They declared a holiday, and I saw trolls about that too. If they hadn’t given a holiday, there would have been even more criticism."
Arefin Siddique, who served as DU's Vice-Chancellor from 2009 to 2017, played a key role in affiliating seven major colleges in Dhaka with the university. While this move was intended to improve higher education management, students have long argued that it failed to achieve its objectives.
Critics claim the affiliation was carried out hastily, without proper assessment.
Nasir Uddin Nasir, General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), linked the controversial affiliation to political rivalries, stating in a Facebook post on January 27, "The affiliation of these colleges with DU put the education and future of hundreds of thousands of students at risk. This decision was made due to the personal rivalry between DU’s former Vice-Chancellor Arefin Siddique and another ally of fascist Hasina, National University’s former Vice-Chancellor Harun-or-Rashid. It was an utterly reckless and ill-considered move."
The debate over the affiliation has persisted for years. On October 7 last year, Arefin Siddique defended the decision, citing recommendations from University Grants Commission (UGC) committees and ministry directives.
However, in 2018, he acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s failure to implement necessary measures to prevent the resulting administrative challenges.
Tensions surrounding the affiliation erupted into clashes earlier this year. On January 27, violent confrontations broke out near New Market between DU students and students from the seven affiliated colleges. The previous night, tensions had flared in capital's Nilkhet, with both groups engaging in a series of chases. Police intervened with sound grenades, forcing the seven-college students to retreat towards Dhaka College, but they later regrouped and retaliated. Even at 1 AM, scuffles continued, leaving at least five students injured.
The controversy surrounding Arefin Siddique’s legacy remains deeply polarising within the DU community. While some see him as a dedicated academic, others hold him responsible for decisions that, in their view, have negatively impacted the university and its students.
The mourning day, rather than uniting DU, has only deepened the divide.
NRE/SH
