The teachers of Jahangirnagar University on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Vice Chancellor’s residence on campus, as the VC allegedly confined study leave applications of some of the university’s teachers.
Around a hundred teachers under the banner of “General teachers of Jahangirnagar University” went to VC Prof Anwar Hossain’s residence at around 1pm and staged a sit-in programme demanding the immediate release of all of their confined applications, related to different administrative issues.
JUTA President Prof Dr Ajit Kumar Mazumder, arts and humanities faculty Dean Prof Dr Syed Kamrul Ahsan, social science faculty Dean Prof Dr Amir Hossain, archaeology department teachers Prof Dr Md Mozammel Haque and Prof Dr Ashit Baran Pal, philosophy department teachers Prof Dr Forid Ahmed and Associate Professor Md Kamrul Ahsan along with other teachers were present.
When the teachers asked the VC why their applications were confined, the VC denied the allegation, saying: “No file is confined by me and all the applications will be signed gradually.”
Officials alleged that the VC approved some 12 applications for study leaves and other leaves and rejected three others, as these teachers were involved in the ongoing movement to remove him from his post.
Dr Ali Azam Talukdar, an associate professor of the microbiology department, Khandakar Hasan Mahmud, assistant professor of the geography and environment department, and Md Mehedi Hasan, a lecturer of the urban and region-planning department had submitted study leave applications in last the first week of July, but their applications were confined, as they were involved in the movement.
Dr Ali Azam told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have already confirmed my air ticket to Japan but the authorities have yet to approve my application.”
The agitated teachers withdrew the demo when the VC met their demands. However, they again start demonstration at the deployment of law enforcers at the VC’s residence following their withdrawal of the demo.
JUTA president Prof Ajit Kumar Mazumder told the Dhaka Tribune there was no reason for deploying police as the teachers protested outside the VC’s house peacefully.
Meanwhile, JU Proctor Prof Dr Muzibur Rahman said, “We do not know why the police came here without permission, but we are looking into the matter.”