Pabna univ students boycott class, exam
Demand withdrawal of show-cause notices against 3 teachers
A group of Pabna University of Science and Technology students yesterday besieged the administrative building, demanding withdrawal of show-cause notices issued against three teachers over their “controversial” remarks on social media.
Boycotting the day’s classes and examinations, over hundred students shouted slogans against the vice chancellor and staged demonstration for three hours, starting around 10am.
On Saturday, university authorities issued the notices, bringing allegation that the teachers’ comments on Facebook had defamed VC M Rostom Ali.
The teachers -- Kamrul Hasan of urban and regional planning department; Kamal Hossain of BBA faculty and Yeahia Bepari of Economics -- recently commented on Facebook about a job aspirant at the university’s history department.
On October 24, a conversation allegedly between the VC and job aspirant Monirul Islam went viral, where Monirul was heard asking back Tk 8 lakh from the VC as he did not pass the recruitment test.
During yesterday’s demonstration, students also brought allegations of irregularities against the VC. They [three teachers] were show-caused for raising voice against corruption. Such irregularities will not be tolerated, said students.
Contacted, Kamrul Hasan, one of the teachers, said though he did not defame the VC, he would answer the notice.
“I just criticised the proctorial body as they failed to handle the issue properly considering the aspirant misbehaved with the VC.”
When asked, VC Rostom Ali rejected the allegation of taking money from anyone. “It’s a pre-planned conspiracy to tarnish my image” he said.
He termed the students’ agitation an outcome of instigation by the three teachers. “They are creating such unrest to hide their faults,” the vice chancellor added.
The VC also mentioned that teachers’ recruitment process of the history department had been cancelled and a fresh circular in this regard will be published soon.
Meanwhile, Monirul claimed that he gave the money in two phases. He did not elaborate any further or want to continue the conversation.