SUCSU election postponement sparks daylong protest 

The postponement of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology's Central Students' Union (SUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections triggered a daylong protest on campus, with students staging road blockades, sit-ins, and rallies demanding that the polls be held as scheduled.

The university administration on Monday filed an appeal with the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division, challenging a High Court order that suspended the elections for four weeks. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. A M Sarwaruddin Chowdhury said the appeal has been placed on the court's general agenda, though no hearing date has been set. "The elections were scheduled for January 20, but a writ petition led to their suspension. Considering students' demands, we have appealed and are awaiting court instructions," he said.

Following the postponement, students repeatedly blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj road and later staged a sit-in in front of the administrative building. The Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Treasurer remained confined inside the building for nearly 12 hours, before being released around 12:30 am after assuring students that all legal steps would be taken to facilitate the elections.

Protests resumed Tuesday, with processions, slogan chanting, and an evening rally led by candidates from various panels and independents. Independent GS candidate Palash Bakhtiar alleged political interference behind the writ petition, claiming "powerful forces" were obstructing students' democratic rights. GS candidate Md Mujahidul Islam of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel called for nationwide student solidarity, warning against suppression of student representation.