Urban political machines and student politics in “middle” Bangladesh: violent party labor in Rajshahi city

Introduction: Ethnographic perspectives on the state in Bangladesh

“…Recently, however, research interest has reconnected to these earlier themes, and ethnographic studies have engaged with party politics and the production of (local) authority structures. Two of the most promising emerging research fields are student politics (Andersen 2013; Kabir and Greenwood 2017; Kuttig 2019; Ruud 2010; Schulz 2019; Suykens 2018) and the interrelation of party politics with violence, criminality and order (Jackman 2017; Suykens and Islam 2013). While offering an entry point to the existing comparative debate, this special issue aims at going beyond this research focus to expand our understanding of what is considered the state in Bangladesh.…”

“…The ruling parties’ student and youth wings, armed with wooden and metal poles, joined the state security forces in their attack against protestors and journalists, leaving scores of pupils injured. Student and youth organisations play a vital role for (ruling) political parties in Bangladesh to exert control and are known for their capacity for violence (Jackman 2017; Kuttig 2019; Suykens 2018; Suykens and Islam 2013). Because, the lines between state institutions and the party in power are blurred , we are left with an ambiguous understanding of what the state in Bangladesh is .…”

How to Be Visible in Student Politics: Performativity and the Digital Public Space in Bangladesh

“…When walking in the streets of Dhaka or other towns in the country, one cannot miss the numerous faces of local politicians staring down from uncountable posters, banners, and billboards that so ubiquitously mark the city-and townscapes. Entire public spaces, including memorials, advertisement billboards, and statues are regularly captured and utilized by diligent party workers to build their public image and to display their commitment to the party and its leaders before important religious, historical, or political events (Kuttig, 2020). "They just want to introduce themselves to the neighborhood" or "they just want to highlight themselves" is a typical response by surrounding shopkeepers or occasional passersby when asked about the posters in their neighborhood.…”

“…Rajshahi University is the second university in Bangladesh, and its student politics is closely linked to the local authority structures (Kuttig 2019). Rajshahi is on the one hand exemplary for a mofussil university town in Bangladesh, while on the other hand unique, given the importance of educational institutions as part of its socioeconomic fabric, which bestowed the city with the moniker "City of Education."…”

“…Rajshahi University is the second university in Bangladesh, and its student politics is closely linked to the local authority structures (Kuttig 2019). Rajshahi is on the one hand exemplary for a mofussil university town in Bangladesh, while on the other hand unique, given the importance of educational institutions as part of its socioeconomic fabric, which bestowed the city with the moniker “City of Education.” While in Chittagong a major economic factor is the port, in Sylhet it is remittances, and in Khulna it is a thriving business community, Rajshahi's economy is largely attuned to its vast number of educational institutions.…”