Gopalganj Univ: Protests flare up for VC’s removal
Several thousand students demanded the removal of the vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) in Gopalganj yesterday, amid widespread allegations of corruption and irregularities.
Showing solidarity, students of other universities across the country also held demonstrations demanding the resignation of the BSMRSTU VC Prof Khondoker Md Nasiruddin.
A section of the protesters began a fast-unto-death in front of the VC’s office to press home their demand.
Ignoring the threat of suspension, the demonstrators brought out a procession around 9:00am chanting the slogan “step down VC”.
“Students are suspended and teachers are served show-cause notices or barred from taking classes or exams if the university authorities think their speeches or statements go against them,” said a teacher of Computer Science and Engineering Department.
Fatema Tuz Zinia, a second-year student of the law department and a campus reporter of English newspaper daily sun, was the latest victim of suspension for a Facebook post.
The university authorities withdrew her suspension on Wednesday.
“Zinia wrote about fighting against corruption and irregularities through her reports and Facebook posts. We will not keep quiet anymore,” said a protester and also a student of the Bangla department.
Zinia’s suspension triggered the one-point movement yesterday.
Meanwhile, the university authorities yesterday issued 14-point office order that stated they would construct a Shaheed Minar and a mural of Bangabandhu in six months.
The order, signed by registrar Prof Nur Uddin Ahmed, also stated that no student would be suspended over their Facebook posts or comments, saying freedom of expression of common students will be ensured, none will be suspended unless the offence is “unforgivable”.
The protesters, however, rejected the statements and remained strict to their demand, saying “these were mere eyewash”.
A delegation of around 25-30 teachers attempted to talk to protesters around 1:30pm, but failed. Later, some students, allegedly loyal to the VC, locked into a scuffle with protesters around 2:00pm in front of the teachers.
After visiting the VC’s office and calling him over the phone several times, this correspondent sent a text message to the VC, to which he responded at 9:45pm writing, “The campus situation is improving and is managed. Reports on corruption and irregularities are baseless and fabricated.”
The university authorities have cancelled all classes and examinations for Sunday.
At least 200-250 students were seen protesting till around 9:15pm.
DEMAND FOR PROBE
The long-standing allegations against the VC of sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and other employees, and corruption in development projects, including the construction of the Shaheed Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural, were announced on loudspeakers during the protest.
The protesters demanded fair probe into all the allegations against the university authorities, especially the VC.
“If any allegations are brought against any student or teacher, they face inquiries, departmental punishment or suspension. But when it is the VC, no inquiry takes place,” one of the protesters said, requesting anonymity.
“Last year, a woman brought allegations of sexual harassment against the VC. Instead of investigating the allegation, the woman was given a job of a fourth-class employee at the university library to keep her mouth shut,” another student protester said.
“Several lakh taka was shown spent for the construction of the mural of Bangabandhu and the Shaheed Minar,” another student said demanding investigation.
Terming the university administration “autocratic”, a protesting student of the management department, said, “If anyone says anything against the autocratic authority, they are expelled.”
None of the demonstrators agreed to disclose their names fearing reprisal.
Meanwhile, additional members of police were deployed outside the campus.
Campus reporters working at Dhaka University, Rajshahi University and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University formed human chains at their respective campuses, also demanding resignation of Prof Nasiruddin.
Over 40 Jahangirnagar University correspondents of different media outlets yesterday formed a human chain, protesting Zinia’s suspension.
The journalists also sought punishment to BCL men who allegedly attacked Shums Jebin, a campus reporter of the Alokito Bangladesh, for showing solidarity with Zinia.