Campus reporters of various public universities, including Dhaka University, have demanded the removal of the vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) Gopalganj, for allegedly running the university in an autocratic way.
On Monday, protesters under the banner “Muktijuddho Mancha” formed a human chain at the base of Raju Memorial Sculpture, and demanded the resignation of BSMRSTU VC Prof Khandakar Nasiruddin.
The protestors also demanded the withdrawal of suspension of the campus based reporter Fatema Tuz Zinia, a second year student of Law department at BSMRSTU.
She was suspended on September 10 for posting a status on her Facebook account, which the authorities claimed tarnished the university’s image.
University authorities also claimed that she hacked the VC’s Facebook ID.
DU Prof AKM Jamal Uddin, convenor of the Mancha, said: “The university authorities are trying to threaten all other students by issuing suspension order to one. In the name of disciplinary actions, that is trying to keep their mouths shut, as well as to stop practicing the constructive criticism.”
He questioned the suspension for posting a status on Facebook, and regarded making comments as a simple matter.
The students have the right to speak and write about such issues, he added.
Pointing out the VC’s “controversial activities” — illegal affair with one of his subordinates — the protesters urged the education ministry to launch an investigation, and remove him immediately.
The platform threatened to go for hard-line measures if the demands are not met.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League men of BSMRSTU allegedly carried out an attack on Shams Jebin, BSMRSTU reporter of the Daily Alokito Bangladesh, for speaking in favour of Zinia.
He was initially treated at a local hospital in Gopalganj.
