Contemporary student politics in Bangladesh: Impacts, trends, and insights from the University of Rajshahi

Md. Abdul  Barik; Mst. Quamrun  Nahar; Md. Yeasir Arafat

doi:10.55942/pssj.v6i1.910

Authors

Md. Abdul Barik University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4587-9456
Mst. Quamrun Nahar University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Md. Yeasir Arafat University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3860-7441

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v6i1.910

Keywords:

student politics, Bangladesh, youth political activism, impacts of student politics

Abstract

The increase in student politics helps students gain leadership power and become aware. However, university campuses are being contaminated with violence, party interests, personal benefits, and more. Student politics has both negative and positive impacts on society. This study, which is based on primary data gathered from 100 respondents at the University of Rajshahi, aims to examine the role of student politics in Bangladesh from July 2024 to date, to know people’s opinion about student politics, to assess the impact of student politics on academic and governance activities, and to identify the positive and negative aspects of student politics. A purposive sampling method was used. The study shows two sides of the coin on students’ politics: On one side of the coin, it makes the student leader politically aware. However, it hampers the normal functioning of educational institutions, creating administrative problems, violence, and many more. The researchers have offered some practical recommendations for reform at the end of the study for student politics to uphold a positive role in democracy and institutions, and the significance of democratization, transparency, and accountability.

Author Biographies

Md. Abdul Barik, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Md. Abdul Barik is a master’s student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rajshahi. He is a social activist, writer, and early-career researcher with growing interests in political behaviour, public policy, governance, and social development.

Mst. Quamrun Nahar, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Dr. Mst. Quamrun Nahar is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rajshahi. Her research interests include caretaker governments, political parties, democracy, and other dimensions of social and political studies.

Md. Yeasir Arafat, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Md. Yeasir Arafat is a final-year undergraduate student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rajshahi. His academic interests revolve around politics, student politics, educational policies, public policy, and accountability.

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