Jahangirnagar University (JU) is set for a historic turn in its central student union election (JUCSU) as five students with physical disabilities have filed nomination papers to contest different posts. Their collective pledge is clear: to champion the rights of special-needs students while standing beside the broader student body in the fight for equity and justice on campus.
The candidates include:
- Md. Sajib Chowdhury, Department of Bangla (49th batch)
- Irin Sultana Akhi, Department of Bangla (49th batch)
- Saddam Ali, Department of Government and Politics (52nd batch)
- Abdullah Alif, Department of International Relations (51st batch)
- Mohsin Ali, Department of History (53rd batch)
Sajib Chowdhury: Leading from the Front
Running independently for the Vice President post of Rabindranath Tagore Hall, Sajib lost his eyesight in 2013 but never lost his drive. Currently pursuing post-graduate studies in Bangla, Sajib has been active in social and voluntary organizations including Badhan (blood donation society) and the Physically Challenged Development Foundation, where he serves as president.
“I am not aligned with any political panel. I stand as an independent candidate to raise the voice of ordinary students. My priorities are establishing drug-free halls, ensuring student rights, and addressing the challenges of special-needs students,” Sajib told Gonotaar.
Irin Akhi: Fighting for Accessibility
Born visually impaired, Irin Sultana Akhi is contesting for the Social Service and Human Resource Development Secretary post. She pointed to everyday challenges faced by disabled students: lack of Braille books, shortage of accessible PDFs and audio resources, and difficulty finding scribes during exams.
“Our society is still not aware enough about special-needs students. That’s why obstacles continue to exist. I want to work to remove them, not only for the visually impaired but also for hearing and speech-impaired students,” she said.
Abdullah Alif: Activism to Representation
Abdullah Alif, a student of International Relations and also the General Secretary of Shahidsalam Barkat Hall Chhatra Dal, has been politically active since admission. He was a participant in the 2024 student uprising, demanding justice and democracy.
“Through JUCSU, I want to highlight the real issues and needs of the student community. I have always believed in student rights and democracy, and this is a continuation of that struggle,” Alif said.
Mohsin Ali: A National Network for Special-Needs Students
Visually impaired candidate Mohsin Ali is running for an executive member post under the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel. He is also the founder of Bright Future for Physically Disabled Society, a national-level organization.
“My dream is to make special-needs students skilled through training and capacity building. JUCSU gives me a platform to connect their issues with institutional policies,” Mohsin explained.
A Symbolic Turn in Student Politics
This collective participation of five differently-abled candidates signals a progressive shift in JU student politics, where marginalized voices are demanding not sympathy, but representation and policy action.
For many on campus, their candidacies reflect a deeper aspiration — that JUCSU can be a platform where inclusivity and student rights stand above partisan rivalry.
