The acting principal and vice-principal of Dhaka City College, along with two other teachers, have been declared unwanted by students.
This decision follows student protests demanding the removal of the acting principal and vice-principal, who were accused of taking their positions forcefully amid a student movement against discrimination.
The students blocked the road in front of the college for the second consecutive day to demonstrate on Wednesday.
At around 2:45pm, the current acting principal, Md Neyamul Haque, vice-principal Mokhlesur Rahman, accounting department professor Md Jahangir Hossain, and associate professor Shahinur Sobhan Naim from the BBA program were declared unwanted.
Following this, the students headed to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence of the National University in Dhanmondi at 3pm.
Nishat Tasnim Neha, a student from the English department, spoke on behalf of the protesters, declaring the acting principal Md Neyamul Haque, vice-principal Mokhlesur Rahman, accounting professor Md Jahangir Hossain, and associate professor Shahinur Sobhan Naim as unwanted.
In response to the declaration, students including Shahriar Mahir said that no teacher would be allowed to enter the college premises.
Student Nishat said: “We have come out in protest against those who have tortured us. We all know what Professor Neyamul did after taking charge on August 5. We, along with the running student alumni, had decided to meet with them, but instead, they harassed us.”
She further mentioned that those involved included principal Neyamul Haque, vice-principal Mokhlesur Rahman, and teachers who propagated on their behalf. “We demanded their resignation, but they ignored us and issued a notice instead. We declare this notice illegal and hereby declare them unwanted.”
The students also alleged that threats were made against them, with claims that Professor Jahangir threatened student Shahriar's life. The acting principal also issued threats. Nishat said that both she and Yasmin were called in and subjected to verbal abuse by the principal, who also mistreated her in terms of exams and attendance.
“When I sit in front of them, the principal avoids eye contact,” she added.
In the wake of the protests, an emergency meeting of the governing body was held, resulting in several decisions:
- Professor Md Jahangir Hossain of the accounting department has been suspended for six months for verbally abusing students.
- A committee has been formed to investigate the suspension of Associate Professor Md Jahangir Alam Sumon from the Computer Science and Engineering department. If he is found innocent, he will be reinstated promptly.
- Any fees collected from students for retakes will be refunded.
- No fees will be charged for special classes or coaching.
- No punitive actions will be taken against any protesting students.
- Decisions regarding picnics will be made in consultation with the students.
- No harassment or humiliation will be directed towards any student’s guardians.
The notice expressed hope that since the legitimate demands of the protesting students had been accepted; they would cease their protests and restore a normal educational environment in the college.
However, the students did not accept these decisions and have resumed their protests.
Although the college was scheduled to open, no classes or examinations took place due to the ongoing movement, and teacher attendance was notably low.
The protesting students declared: “We are demonstrating with five demands, including the resignation of the illegal acting principal and vice-principal. We will not participate in exams or attend classes until our demands are met.”
