Kuet students set fire to symbolic VC chair

As part of their ongoing one-point movement demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor, students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology set fire to a symbolic chair this evening.

The demonstration began around 5:00pm in front of the Student Welfare Centre. Students marched across the campus, chanting slogans and calling for the VC's immediate resignation. The procession circled the administrative building before gathering at the Durbar Bangla sculpture.

After the march, a rally was held and students set on fire a mock chair labelled as the VC's chair, symbolising their demand for his removal.

During a brief address at Durbar Bangla, student leaders reiterated their call for the VC's resignation, called for the appointment of a new VC, and urged the authorities to conduct a fair investigation into the recent unrest on campus.

They warned that tougher actions would follow if their demands were not met promptly.

The ongoing protests stem from a clash between two student groups on February 18.

One group, under the banner of "general students," claimed that members of Chhatra Dal, aided by outsiders, attacked their anti-student politics rally. Chhatra Dal, in turn, alleged that they were assaulted by activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir during their anti-discrimination protest.

In response, students launched a six-point demand that includes the resignation of the VC, pro-VC, and director of student welfare, alongside a complete ban on student politics at Kuet.

On February 23, the students submitted their demands in writing to the chief adviser in Dhaka. Two days later, the university syndicate suspended all academic and administrative activities indefinitely and ordered students to vacate the residential halls.

A three-member committee was formed by the university administration to investigate the incident.