White panel decries DU provosts' demand of action against teachers
The BNP-Jamaat backed "White Panel" teachers of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday issued a statement condemning the demand of taking action against eight DU teachers, placed by the provosts of 18 halls on Tuesday.
“We are surprised and angry that the demand of punishment was placed, in the provost committee's meeting, against eight teachers who published observation report portraying irregularities in the (Ducsu) election and demanded cancellation of the polls,” reads the statement, signed by Prof Obaidul Islam, convener of the panel.
The teachers claimed that the allegations of irregularities -- including stamping ballot papers the night before the polls -- that were mentioned in the report are all true.
The authorities did not take any exemplary steps against those involved with the irregularities, rather the provost committee demanded punishment of those who spoke about the irregularities and raised their voice against it, the statement said.
On March 9, a group of teachers sought permission from authorities to observe the election, but the chief returning officer did not allow that. However, they visited polling centres during the election, and issued a statement that night, demanding cancellation of the election on account of irregularities.
Meanwhile, four physically challenged students of the university yesterday staged a sit-in at the base of Raju Memorial Sculpture, protesting the alleged attack on Rabiul Islam, a visually-impaired student who contested the Ducsu polls independently.
Taking to The Daily Star, Rabiul alleged that an unidentified person assaulted him on Tuesday, as he observed hunger strike demanding re-election to Ducsu and hall union polls.
“I was going to room 326 from my room, when someone intercepted me at the corridor. He asked whether I observed strike. As I replied yes, he started punching and kicking me and also hurled abuses,” Rabiul added.
Rabiul said that there was no one else in the corridor at that time, and he could not identify the man.
The 28-year wait for Ducsu election ended in boycott by all major panels except BCL, amid allegations of irregularities.
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