Staff Correspondent:

Students and organisations at Rajshahi University have expressed anger after the authorities pushed back the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election to Sept 28 — a date that coincides with Maha Shashthi, one of the most significant days of the Hindu Durga Puja festival.

The revised date was announced on Wednesday by Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam, who said administrative changes, security concerns and dope tests for candidates necessitated delaying the polls originally scheduled for Sept 15.

But with around 3,500 Hindu students on campus, many fear the timing will disenfranchise a large group of voters.

“We strongly protest this. Not only Hindu students, but the campus will also be almost empty at that time. Who will vote then? We will demand from the administration that no one is deprived of their voting rights,” student Saurav Karmakar told reporters.

Another student, Arpon Dhar, said the decision amounted to deliberate exclusion.

“By fixing the RUCSU election on Sept 28, the day of Maha Shashthi, more than 3,000 Hindu students are being kept away from voting.”

Student organisations echoed the concern.

“Hindu students will not leave their festival to come and vote. They are being strategically excluded,” said Fuad Ratul of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front.

The Rajshahi University units of Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned Islami Chhatra Shibir and the BNP’s student affiliate Chhatra Dal also condemned the decision. Chhatra Dal leader Sultan Ahmed Rahi took to Facebook, alleging that it was a “deliberate ploy” to make Hindu participation difficult.

Defending the date, Prof Nazrul said: “The university will remain open on Sept 28. Puja starts in October, so we set the election date keeping the Puja holidays in mind.”

Polling is due to be held from 9am to 4pm across academic buildings, with results announced the same day.