Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has said that the recent tense situation at Dhaka University halls could have been avoided if student organizations had developed a framework and reached a mutual understanding among themselves.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday afternoon at the divisional stadium in Terkhadia, Rajshahi, after attending a program, the adviser stressed the need for a “social contract” among student bodies regarding campus politics.
“As reforms are taking place everywhere after August 5, student organizations should also have agreed on a new framework for student politics. If they had sat together earlier to decide how organizational student politics would operate—or whether it would continue at all—inside halls and academic areas, I believe the current hostility towards student politics could have been avoided. There was room for our student organizations to be more mature here,” Asif said.
The adviser refrained from making direct comments on the Dhaka University administration’s recent decision to ban all forms of student politics following widespread protests by general students after the announcement of the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (BCD) committee on Friday night.
Asif attended the closing and prize-giving ceremony of “Friendly Cricket Match 2025” as the chief guest. Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maqsood Jahedi was present as special guest, while Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Khondker Azim Ahmed presided over the event. Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter and Superintendent of Police Farzana Islam were also in attendance.
Regarding the hosting of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches in Rajshahi, the adviser said, “Currently, international matches and BPL games are held in three stadiums. We are working to decentralize—Rajshahi Stadium for the north, and Khulna or Barishal Stadium for the south. We plan to start hosting BPL matches from next year, and after renovations, we hope Rajshahi Stadium will host some games.”
Earlier in the day, the adviser virtually inaugurated 12 projects of the Local Government Division from Rajshahi Circuit House. During his day-long visit, he also inaugurated various projects in Natore.
