VC coerced to prioritise jobs for BCL members?
According to a recent report published in this paper, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor M Abdus Sobhan has "assured" BCL men that they would get the "highest priorities" in getting jobs at the university while the leaders kept him, along with two pro-vice-chancellors and the proctor to the VC's residence, confined to the VC's residence on campus demanding jobs on January 11. The report also states that the demonstration took place as one administrative official was appointed to the university, defying the government's order that postponed all kinds of appointments to RU until further notice. How is it possible that a position as high as that of Vice Chancellor can be treated with such disrespect and belligerence? And how can a Vice Chancellor make statements that imply that a university's highest authority must bow under the pressure of political cadres?
Later, the VC stated that he did not assure anyone about getting jobs and added, "They [BCL activists] were waging a movement. We say many things so that they call off their movement." We can only imagine why the VC reacted that way. It reminds us of a similar situation from 2019, when activists of BCL dragged the principal of Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute (RPI) by his neck and threw him into a pond as he did not give in to their whimsical demands. These are not isolated incidents but a dangerous trend in all public universities where the Chhatra League members wield inordinate power over the campuses, even in recruitment decisions. The implicit impunity that members of student wings of the ruling party enjoy is a known fact, leading to some of them committing all kinds of crimes. The reason behind their entitled and aggressive behaviour is that they have the blessing of some powerful quarters within the ruling party who, despite the PM's repeated calls to purge the BCL of these elements, have nurtured them.
It goes without saying that buckling under political pressure will not ensure that the best candidates are chosen for recruitment. Teachers of universities must be chosen purely on their merit without any bias or fear. Unfortunately this is not always the case and that must change. The administrative standards must be raised across all educational institutions. Moreover, if an impartial governing body could keep watch on the quality of the management of education institutions, including university recruitment, it will ensure that the best candidates are chosen which will benefit the students and as well as the institution. We hope the RU authorities will remain responsible in doing what is right and won't be obstructed by political pressure.
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