Disputes between Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men and the principal of Chittagong Islamia University College, have led to the disruption of the college’s educational activities for the past two months.
The BCL backed Chhatra-Chhatri Songram Parishad (CCSP) had been staging demonstrations demanding the resignation of the college’s principal since June 12, while the teachers have also been boycotting classes since August 18 protesting the assault on the teachers by the BCL men.
CCSP has termed Principal Rezaul Kabir as a corrupt individual, and is carrying out its movement to press home an 11-point demand, which includes his resignation. The principal meanwhile had dissolved the students’ union as it had expired its tenure.
The students and teachers of the college told the Dhaka Tribune that the principal had been offering additional benefits to BCL men for admission and form fill-ups for various examinations, while performing his duties for the past 23 years. Sources claimed Rezaul Kabir failed to do so this year because of the online system, causing agitation amongst BCL activists. In retaliation, the activists declared the principal unwanted and attacked a number of teachers during the two-month movement.
College sources informed that the principal had lodged a case against students, particularly the BCL activists, while the college unit of BCL backed CCSP had also filed a case with a Chittagong court accusing the principal of different irregularities.
Kawsar Akhter Hira, an HSC first year student, told the Dhaka Tribune that no class was held after the Eid vacation as teachers were boycotting classes. Nusrat Jahan, another student, said that they had failed to take necessary preparation for their first year final exam, adding that it would put a negative impact on their HSC exam.
Mansur-ul-Alam Chowdhury, vice principal of the college, said that they boycotted classes to ensure a congenial educational environment in the campus. “We are talking to the guardians, renowned individuals in the area and district administration to solve the problem as quickly as possible,” he said.
The principal, Rezaul Kabir, said that the complaints against him are false and that attempts were being made to resolve the problem as early as possible.
