JU closure harming students

By keeping the university closed for an indefinite period, the vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University and the government are making the students’ future uncertain, Anu Muhammad, professor of JU economics department, said yesterday.

“The university was shut to suppress the protests and the VC is primarily responsible for the situation as she instructed [BCL men] to attack students,” said the eminent economist while speaking at a rally.   

Reiterating their demand for the removal of Prof Farzana Islam from the VC post over a graft allegation, a section of JU students and teachers yesterday organised the rally in front of National Museum in the capital. 

He also held the government responsible, saying that it should probe into the allegation of corruption and take action as per the probe report. 

“Chhtara League president and general secretary were removed on corruption allegations, but the VC remains in office despite she was accused of the same charges,” Anu said.

This is because corruption and tender rigging have become normal in our country, he added. 

“The government is conducting an anti-corruption drive. We know the loopholes of the drive. Had there been any transparency in the drive, the government would have congratulated the Jahangirnagar University students and teachers who have been protesting against corruption. 

Instead of doing so, he said, the government has paved the way for harassing the protesters. 

 Jamal Uddin, professor of the university’s environmental sciences department, said the VC had lost her moral rights to be in the post and that they would continue their protest to free the university from maladministration. 

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said the university vice-chancellors were abusing the powers they were given. 

The protesters placed three-point demands at the rally. The demands include removal of Farzana Islam and proper trial for the perpetrators who carried out the November 5 attacks, cancellation of the decision of vacating the halls, and proper investigation into graft allegations and public disclosure of the probe findings.

JU students have been demonstrating on the campus since August 23, demanding the relocation of three male students’ dormitories, which the authorities had planned to construct near the Rabindranath Hall.

The protesters also demanded a judicial probe into the allegations of corruption and irregularities that took place before the approval of these construction projects.   

The JU authorities on November 5 shut down the university for an indefinite period after a group of BCL men swooped on teachers and students who had kept the VC confined to her residence demanding her resignation.