Gopalganj univ students bring 14 allegations against VC

The protesting students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) today brought 14 specific allegations against the university’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin including sexual harassment and nepotism in recruitment.

Under the banner of ‘General Students of BSMRSTU’, the protesters organised a press conference around 10:30am in front of Academic Building of the university to brief journalists about the reasons why they have been seeking the VC’s resignation.

The allegations include sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and other employees and corruption in development projects in constructing Shaheed Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural on the campus.

Meanwhile, lecturer Humayun Kabir who resigned from the post of Assistant Proctor protesting the attacks on the students on September 21, filed a general diary (GD) with Gopalganj Sadar Police Station last night seeking security of life.

In the GD, he claimed some VC-backed teachers threatened him in person to face dire consequences while some others threatening him on Facebook and also spreading propaganda against him.

“I am feeling insecure now due to such threats,” he told The Daily Star.

However, after the press conference, the protesters continued their movement for the seventh consecutive day to press home their demand and vowed to continue their protest until their demand is met.

Two of the protesters fell sick today during their fast-unto-death programme demanding resignation of VC Prof Nasir.

The students are Mahmud, a second-year student of English department and Shimanto, a third-year student of Agriculture department. They were admitted to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital, the demonstrators said.

A section of students is also observing indefinite hunger strike on the campus since September 19.

In the wake of ongoing students’ movement, the authorities on September 21 declared a 10-day vacation ahead of Durga Puja and asked the students to vacate dormitories. 

As the students refused to give in, the authorities severed power and water connections to the dorms.

Later in the day, a group of “hired goons” attacked students who were on their way to campus to join the protest programme, leaving 20 students including three journalists injured.

WHY ARE THE STUDENTS PROTESTING?

Several thousand students have been demonstrating for the VC’s removal, bringing allegations against him of sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and other employees, and corruption in development projects, including the construction of the Shaheed Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural on the campus.

The demonstrators said the university authorities suspended students and served show-cause notices to those teachers whose speeches or statements go against them.

Fatema Tuz Zinia, a second-year student of law department and a campus reporter of The Daily Sun, was a victim of suspension for a Facebook post.

Amid countrywide protests, university authorities withdrew the suspension order on September 18.