Universities in turmoil

The University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday expressed deep concern over the continuing violence at different universities.
At a full commission meeting, the UGC also condemned what it said were attempts by some quarters to destabilise the academic atmosphere in the universities. It urged everyone to act responsibly to maintain conditions conducive to higher education, said a press release by the commission.
The UGC statement comes in the wake of a suspension of academic activities at Jahangirnagar, Jagannath and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
The situation at Jahangirnagar University has been tense since a student was killed by a Chhatra League faction, known as “VC group”. To make matters worse, the proctor yesterday assaulted the president of the JU teachers association.
At Jagannath University, students have been agitating against a fee hike, thereby incurring the wrath of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student body associated with the ruling Awami League.
In Sylhet, classes at Shahjalal University were suspended yesterday following overnight clashes between activists of the BCL and Islami Chhatra Shibir, a pro-Jamaat student organisation.