Despite issuing an ultimatum, students of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) have locked the administrative building and the Vice Chancellor’s residence, declaring a university-wide shut down and chanting slogans against Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Anwar Hossain and his followers for not resigning.
The incident occurred on Saturday at around 12pm.
Earlier, starting from Tuesday, various programs were held demanding the resignation of the VC, treasurer, registrar, hall provosts, Proctor, Regent Board member Dr Iqbal Kabir Zahid, and others associated with the VC.
During these protests, students vandalized murals of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina, as well as sculptures and photographs in the academic building.
On Wednesday, they gave an ultimatum for the VC to resign by Saturday.
According to the students, the protest march began at noon on Saturday from in front of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academic Building and ended in front of the administrative building, where the protestors gathered.
In their speeches, the protesters accused VC Anwar Hossain of running the university in an autocratic manner during his second consecutive term and creating a corrupt syndicate to facilitate his actions.
They alleged that those who protested against the corruption were harassed by intelligence agencies and police.
Student Mohammad Usamah said: "We have one demand: we do not want a VC who is a lackey of the dictatorial Hasina government. He was never a student-friendly VC. We demand that all corrupt syndicate members resign immediately."
Another student, Farid Hasan, said: "We also demand the resignation of all teachers, officials, and employees who obtained their jobs through corruption. Students must have full freedom of expression, and we do not want any form of politics on this campus, which is supposed to be research-oriented."
In response, VC Professor Dr Anwar Hossain said: "At this moment, I have no plans to resign because I am the coordinator of the cluster admission test for 24 universities. The admission process is 97% complete. If I can finish the remaining 3%, I will be relieved of my responsibility."
He added that he is currently in Dhaka.