BU protest continues for ninth day

Students continued their protest demanding VC Imamul Huq’s resignation at Barishal University for the ninth day yesterday.

Agitated students held a rally on campus at noon. They drew on walls with blood, demanding that Prof Huq be removed from his post. Students vowed to continue their protest until the demand is met.

VC Dr Imamul Huq told the Daily Star, “I am calling all students to return to class as I have already expressed apology to everyone who was hurt by my comment. No incident happened that requires the VC’s removal, and I cannot resign just because students demand it.”

Deputy Commissioner of Barishal SM Ajior Rahman said, “I am trying to resolve this deadlock situation by consulting both sides.”

Students started protesting on March 26 after they were allegedly excluded from the university’s Independence Day programme. On the same day, VC Imamul Huq made a remark calling protesting students “Razakar-er Bachcha.”

Agitated students demanded his resignation after this. On March 28, BU authorities announced that the university will be closed indefinitely. The next day, the VC apologised, but the students continued their protest.