Nowfel smells a rat

Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel yesterday alleged that a parent, involved with pro-BNP lawyers’ association or BNP politics, was instigating Buet students to continue their protests.

“I don’t want to name names. But we have specific information that the parent involved with Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum or BNP politics is giving direction to his offspring [a student of Buet] so that the protests can continue,” he said.

The deputy minister was speaking at a press conference on the overall situation of Buet at International Mother Language Institute in the capital.

“A parent is encouraging and instigating his child. What kind of guardianship is this?” he said, warning that they will arrest the parent in due time.

Nowfel said a heinous murder took place in Buet and law enforcement agencies took all-out measures following the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He questioned the rationale of the protests when the accused in the case were arrested and a charge sheet was submitted. “What kind of anarchy is this? ...By raising demands to expel them [accused]?” he asked.

Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League men at Buet’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall between the night of October 6 and early hours of October 7.

The incident triggered a firestorm of protests on campuses across the country. Many took to social media to demand justice for Abrar.

Police have arrested 21 accused so far.

In face of protests, the Buet authorities banned all political activities on the campus in October.

On November 13, detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police submitted the charge sheet.

However, agitating Buet students said they would not return to classes until the authorities meet their three-point demand, including expulsion of the charge-sheeted accused in the case.

Meanwhile, Buet authorities yesterday sought two weeks from the protesters to meet their demands.

Buet VC Prof Saiful Islam first sought three weeks to fulfil all the demands but the deans, after a meeting with the VC yesterday, said they could do so within two weeks.

A batch-15 student of Urban and Regional Planning department told reporters they accepted authorities’ proposal but would sit for exam once demands are met.