Barisal University (BU) has come to a standstill as agitating students declared a complete shutdown and locked the gate to the residence of the vice-chancellor (VC) on Wednesday afternoon.
The protests, which began earlier in the week, escalated on Tuesday around 2pm when students locked the university’s administrative building gate, effectively halting all academic and administrative activities.
On Wednesday, the agitation intensified as students locked the VC’s residence, accusing her of authoritarian behavior and negligence, and demanded her immediate resignation.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, student leader Sujay Shuvo said: “The lock will not be removed until a new VC is appointed.”
According to the demonstrators, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Shuchita Sharmin has exhibited autocratic tendencies, rehabilitated pro-fascist elements, and taken legal action against students—including filing cases and general diaries (GDs)—instead of addressing their legitimate concerns.
They also accused her of negligence in handling the medical needs of a cancer-stricken student.
Rakin, a student from the English Department, echoed these sentiments, saying: “She is running the university like a dictator. Filing cases against students and bringing back fascist allies—this is unacceptable. The university will remain shut until she resigns.”
Students have been staging sit-ins and demonstrations on the ground floor of the administrative building for the past 48 hours.
The movement officially began on Monday afternoon with a one-point demand: the resignation of the VC.
Earlier that morning, Dr Sharmin held a press conference offering to withdraw all cases and GDs if the students submitted written apologies.
The students, however, rejected the offer outright, subsequently locking the administrative section of the university and announcing an indefinite complete shutdown.
When contacted, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Golam Rabbani said: “It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this moment. Please direct your questions to the ministry or the University Grants Commission.”
Dr Sharmin is currently in Dhaka and has remained unreachable despite repeated attempts to contact her via mobile phone.