JU Chemistry students denounce PCJ move

Students of Chemistry department at Jahangirnagar University (JU) yesterday denounced a move made by Progotisheel Chhatra Jote (PCJ) that has declared to resist the admission test for the evening course of Chemistry master’s programme.

The test is scheduled to be held this Friday, on August 17.

In a press release, the students of the department under the banner of Rasayan Sangsad said the PCJ’s move is “uncalled for” as the issue, an “internal affair” of the department, was settled with their teachers at two meetings held on August 6 and 7.

However, on Saturday (August 11), PCJ leaders at a press conference unnecessarily declared that they would resist Friday’s admission test, read the release. 

Since Sunday last week, chemistry students had been staging demonstrations opposing the launching of the evening master’s programme.

But the students pulled out of their agitation after their teachers created pressure on them, said several students seeking anonymity. They anticipated that further pressure might be created on general students as the declaration made by PCJ would complicate the situation.

Ariful Islam Anik, one of the PCJ leaders, said, “… We declared our programme to resist all types of commercialisation on the campus. We will resist the admission test of the [Chemistry] department. We also urge all students to take part in our programme.”

Rebutting allegation of pressure created on the students, Prof Nurul Abser, chairman of Chemistry department, said, “We sat with our students at least two times and heard their complaints [regarding the master’s programme]. We are always friendly with our general students… If the weekend programme causes troubles, we’ll stop it.”