Students face hardship as train diverted to accommodate political gathering
Chittagong University (CU) students faced significant inconvenience on Sunday when the administration granted special accommodations for the university shuttle train to facilitate attendance at BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s rally in Chittagong.
On Sunday morning (January 25), leaders and activists of the campus Chhatra Dal, along with nationalist teachers and officials from the university, boarded the Sholoshahar-bound shuttle train around 8:40 AM to attend the rally. However, the shuttle departed from CU station 15 minutes late at 8:55 AM.
According to Sunday’s schedule, the shuttle’s final destination was supposed to be Sholoshahar. However, following a prior request from the nationalist family, the train was taken from Sholoshahar to Chattogram Bottoli Station instead. The subsequent 9:30 AM train from Sholoshahar to campus arrived about an hour late, causing disruptions to the 9:30 AM shuttle and other scheduled services, students complained.
Many students alleged they could not attend classes and other academic activities on time due to the sudden schedule change. The incident has sparked widespread discussion and criticism on social media.
Mohammad Sakib, a student from the Bangla department, expressed his frustration in a Facebook video posted from the scene: “The shuttle train was supposed to go from Sholoshahar to campus at 9:30 AM. All of us students are waiting for the shuttle train. Many of us have classes or other work at the university. But the university shuttle train has been taken to Bottoli for a specific party’s program, while we are suffering here waiting for the shuttle.”
Student Mahir Muntasir wrote in a Facebook post: “Today the 8:40 AM city-bound train left at 8:55 AM. This was done on the instructions of CU Chhatra Dal and CKSU AGS Toufiq. That’s not all—instead of returning from Sholoshahar, they took the shuttle straight to Bottoli for the rally.”
Another student, Mahmudul Hasan, wrote on Facebook: “Today they forcibly took the shuttle to go to the rally. There’s no concern for the students’ wasted time. There’s no guarantee that next time they get the opportunity, they won’t take students from halls and homes to rallies instead of just using the shuttle.”
University Proctor Professor Dr. Hossain Shahid Sarwardi told The Daily Star: “Following a request from the university’s nationalist family, the Proctor’s office sent a letter to the Chittagong Railway authorities. Accordingly, today’s 8:40 AM shuttle went from its final destination Sholoshahar to Bottoli-New Market. After dropping them off, the shuttle is running on schedule as usual. However, many students have reported facing schedule disruptions with the 9:30 AM shuttle. I sincerely apologize for this.”
He added: “I should have announced the schedule change yesterday. Then students wouldn’t have faced such severe hardship. This won’t happen again in the future.”
Regarding the allegations, CKSU AGS and Joint General Secretary of the campus Chhatra Dal, Ayubur Rahman Toufiq, told The Quad 24: “The allegation that the shuttle was delayed 15 minutes under my leadership is completely false. I was on the train as an ordinary passenger. I knew nothing about the nationalist family’s application to the university administration for the train; I only learned about it now. Using the shuttle for political purposes is completely inappropriate.”
He added: “Why should the administration grant permission just because the nationalist family applies? The administration also bears responsibility here. I strongly oppose using the shuttle in a way that disrupts students’ classes and exams.”
Meanwhile, campus Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman wrote in a Facebook post: “No one from CU Chhatra Dal was aware of or involved in any way with taking the shuttle to Bottoli today. I say with responsibility that no one made any application or lobbying. I hope the university administration will clarify this matter to the students. CU Chhatra Dal has not done such work that causes student suffering in the past and will not do so in the future.”