Controversy erupted at Dhaka University's (DU) Sir A. F. Rahman Hall after Provost Prof Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Supon allegedly ordered six legitimate resident students to vacate their room for hall union leaders.
Students claim they were asked to leave Room 318 to accommodate Vice President and General Secretary, raising questions about residential allocation practices.
Around 12:30PM on Sunday, Provost summoned all six residents of Room 318 and verbally directed them to vacate, according to allegations. Room is divided into two sections housing three students each. Three affected students spoke to bdnews24.com, with two requesting anonymity whilst their accounts remained consistent.
Resident Mohammad Riduan recounted incident, saying provost called all six occupants and announced VP and GS of Sir A. F. Rahman Hall Students' Union would receive single room. "Sir asked how many of you live in this room? We said six. Then he said six people can't stay in this room; some of you must be illegal. We replied, Sir, how can we be illegal? All our names are in database," Riduan explained.
Provost allegedly invoked hall tradition, stating Room 318 traditionally belonged to union leaders. "He said even though it's not in rules, it's hall's custom. We asked how can something that hasn't happened in 30 years be called custom? Sir replied it happened back when last DUCSU election took place, in 1990s," Riduan added.
Students discovered after 2019 DUCSU or hall union elections, no precedent existed for allocating separate rooms to union leaders. However, then Assistant General Secretary Saddam Hossain, who later became central president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, resided in Room 318.
Provost denied forcing students out, clarifying he merely questioned why six people occupied three-person room.
"I didn't mean they were illegal. I just asked whether any unauthorised students were there," Professor Supon stated. When asked about invoking custom, he said, "I heard that at one time VP and GS used to live in that room, but I haven't found any factual basis for that yet."
Regarding provisions for separate rooms, Professor Supon explained, "Not exactly separate, but since many people come to meet them in their rooms, it sometimes disturbs others. That's why idea of giving them separate room was discussed." He emphasised, "I didn't tell them to leave room. I just asked if they would agree to exchange half of it. As provost, I cannot force anyone."
