Former campus journos demand VC’s resignation
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Former campus journalists yesterday demanded immediate resignation of Cumilla University Vice-Chancellor Prof AFM Abdul Moyeen for suspending a student for a news report on him.
The demand was raised from a human chain organised in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
The suspended student, Mohammad Iqbal Monwar, is a masters student at the English department. He is also a reporter of Bangla daily Jaijaidin.
On July 31, a report titled "Corruption is the reason for development in Bangladesh: CoU VC" was published in the daily, detailing some remarks made by the VC during a university programme.
In the suspension order, it was mentioned that Monwar was suspended for "violating university discipline".
According to the order, Monwar allegedly distorted a statement made by the VC and intentionally circulated it with misleading information to tarnish the university's image.
Monwar refuted the allegations and claimed that he only reported the statement made by the VC during a programme.
Addressing today's event, Ali Younus Hridoy, a former campus journalist from Rajshahi University, said, "By making these remarks, Cumilla University VC has lost the moral right to hold the office. He should resign immediately."
Rabiul Alam, former campus journalist at Jagannath University, said if a journalist can be suspended on charge of "violating university discipline" for publishing a report on the VC's remarks, the authority should suspend the VC first for "encouraging" students about corruption.
"How can a VC of a university make such remarks? He should step down on his own," Alam said.
Expressing solidarity, Shahidul Islam, president of Dhaka Journalist Union, threatened a tougher movement if Monwar's suspension was not withdrawn immediately.
The speakers vowed to continue their movement until the VC steps down and the suspension is withdrawn.
MONWAR ASKED TO VACATE HALL
In another development, the authorities of Cumilla University's Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall issued a notice asking Monwar to leave the hall.
According to the notice issued on Thursday, Monwar will not be allowed to stay at the dormitory during the suspension period, reports our Cumilla correspondent.
The Daily Star has also obtained a copy of the notice.
Talking to The Daily Star today, Monwar said, "The university authorities did not give me any show-cause notice. As a student, I didn't participate in any anti-discipline activities."
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