Confined again at his residence by the agitating teachers of Jahangirnagar University, Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwar Hossain yesterday said he had asked the education minister to publish the investigation report on the allegations against him.
He was confined on Monday night by the protesters who are demanding a quick implementation of the chancellor’s directives, which were given on November 6 with a view to solve the ongoing crises on the campus.
President Abdul Hamid had asked the VC to hold senate elections immediately, and to select a VC panel through the senate in the line with the JU Act. The chancellor also asked him to withdraw the writ petitions filed against three teachers of the university.
Prof Anwar told the Dhaka Tribune: “I cannot do anything, including the execution of the directives of the honourable chancellor, simply because of the teachers’ irrational movement which is hampering the university’s discipline.”
The VC said he again had extended his leave for his physical illness until tomorrow. During this time, Pro-VC (education) Prof MA Matin would be the acting VC.
Prof Anwar reached the campus on Monday afternoon after a 12-day-long medical leave. Hearing the news, the agitating teachers released Prof Matin and Pro-VC (administration) Prof Afsar Ahmed at around 9pm and then went to the VC’s residence to meet Prof Anwar.
They took positions in front of the two gates of the residence around 10pm installing several tents, on the grounds that the VC had denied paying a visit to the teachers who are now agitating under the banner of “JU Teachers-Students and Officers-Employees United Forum.”
Backed by ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir, who is now a member of the Public Service Commission, and pro-BNP teachers, they have been demanding the removal of the sitting VC.
Prof Matin and Prof Afsar had been confined to the administrative building for 12 days since November 20.
Secretary of the forum Prof Kamrul Ahsan said: “We will not leave the VC’s residence until the directives of the chancellors are fulfilled.”
He alleged that the VC had been meeting teachers, students and officers loyal to him, but was avoiding the agitating teachers.
He said the VC was yet to withdraw the petitions.
Prof Anwar yesterday claimed that his cable network connection was disconnected by the agitating teachers, and they were not allowing any employees to enter his residence.
The authorities also sent a letter in this regard to Prof Kamrul. However the forum’s secretary denied the allegation and said he did not know anything about the matter.
Prof Matin was not available for comment despite several attempts to contact him.
The forum members held a torch procession on the campus yesterday evening.
