Barishal University is in turmoil as several faculty members have resigned amid rising student protests.

The latest to step down include the directors of the Jibonanondo Das Research Institute and the Students-Teachers Centre, along with Abdul Halim Boshir, the provost of Sher-e-Bangla Hall.

The ongoing protests, which began earlier this week, reached a boiling point yesterday when students announced a total shutdown of the university.

They locked the vice chancellor's residence and disrupted all academic and administrative functions.

The protests are centred on demands for the resignation of VC Prof Shuchita Sharmin, accusing her of "autocratic behaviour, negligence, and mishandling student welfare, including failing to address the needs of a cancer-stricken student".

Following the lockout of the administrative building, the unrest intensified when students also staged sit-ins and demonstrations outside the building.

Their one-point demand is the resignation of Prof Sharmin.

Sujay Shuvo, a student leader, said, "We will not lift the lock until a new VC is appointed."

VC Sharmin, who is currently in Dhaka, has been unreachable despite multiple attempts by the media to contact her.

On Monday, Sharmin had offered to withdraw all legal actions against students if they submitted written apologies, but the students rejected the offer outright and announced an indefinite complete shutdown.

Rakin, a student of the English department, criticised the VC's handling of the situation, saying, "She is running the university like a dictator. Filing cases against students and bringing back 'fascist allies'—this is unacceptable."

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Golam Rabbani refrained from commenting.

"It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this moment. Please direct your questions to the ministry or the UGC," he told The Daily Star.