Brac University students carry on their protest in front of the BracU building on Monday afternoon Mahadi Al Hasnat/Dhaka TribuneThey initially demanded an unconditional apology from the registrar. But following the administration's reluctance to confront the matter, an additional demand for his immediate resignation was raised by protesters. They also demanded two more university officials, who aided the assault, be terminated from the university.
A student in his final year told the Dhaka Tribune: “We withdrew our protests yesterday [Sunday] because the administration had assured us that they will meet our demands today [Monday].”
Another student said: "If the university chooses to terminate the contract with the teacher, it is understandable. But laying hands on him is unprofessional. We would also like to know what will happen to the students enrolled in his courses given that the semester is ongoing."
The protest will continue on Tuesday as well, the students said.
The protesting students also demanded Farhaan, a BracU alumnus, be reinstated at the university with all due respect.
According to Farhaan, the VC and the university administration were to meet with him and the protesters on Monday at 2pm in the auditorium.
The protesters had occupied the campus on Sunday night and refused to leave until the VC had assured them of seeing the matter through.
On Sunday afternoon, Farhaan was assaulted by Registrar Maj Gen (retd) Muhammad Sahool Afzal, Assistant Registrar Md Mahi Uddin, and Senior Officer of Co-Curricular Activities Jabed Rasel, according to Banani police.
Sub-Inspector Imitazur Rahman, duty officer of Banani police station, said the incident took place in the university’s registrar’s office.
News of the assault sparked outrage among BracU students who barricaded the registrar’s office around 3:30pm, locking in the registrar and other officials.
How the crisis unfoldedSources at BracU said the crisis erupted a few months ago when Farhaan refused to participate in a foundation course under the Professional Development Centre (PDC) in the university, designed for faculty and administrative staff members.
According to the BracU sources, Farhaan publicly refused to take part in the course, saying it would be a waste of his time instead of benefitting him and his other responsibilities would be hampered.
The authorities did not take his position positively, which is why they decided to terminate him, the sources said.
“There is a shortage of teachers at the university’s School of Law. Moreover, Farhaan is bright and academically proficient. As a teacher, he is popular with students. We found no reason to terminate him except his disagreement over the PDC course,” a BracU faculty, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune.
The protesting students demand the registrar apologise for his actions and resign immediately Mahadi Al Hasnat/Dhaka TribuneWhen asked, Farhaan refused to make a comment before reporters regarding his conflict with the authorities over the PDC course.
However, university officials said that Farhaan’s activities were nonconformist, and he often disobeyed the authorities’ decisions.
“He has been terminated from the university as the contract is almost over. Now, he is using the students in order to save his job,” BracU Deputy Controller of Examinations Shafik Waes told the Dhaka Tribune.
BracU forms probe committee
BracU Pro-VC Prof Ansar Ahmed addressed the students after 4pm on Monday, and informed them that the VC had ordered a probe committee to be formed to investigate the matter and submit a report within seven days. The pro-VC asked the students to "behave in a manner befitting civilised people and disperse peacefully to preserve the image of the university." They denounced his statement, with many crying out: "The authorities should also behave in a manner befitting civilised people." The heated response prompted the pro-VC to go back inside the building.Also Read - BracU lecturer allegedly assaulted by registrar
A Brac University official later told the Dhaka Tribune that the probe committee would be formed with three members. He also disclosed that Farhaan had filed a first information report (FIR) with the Banani police station on Sunday night. He said: "If he files a case, he files a case. But will the court get him his job back?"
