Over 400 pro-BNP and Jamaat teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) under the banner of “white panel” declared to boycott the 9th convocation of the university scheduled to be held on January 18.
The announcement came from a press briefing held at Teacher’s Lounge at Zubeeri Building on the campus at 11:30am on Wednesday.
The convener of white panel, Prof Dr Shamsul Alam Sarkar, read out the written statement in the press meet.
According to the written statement, over 400 teachers of the panel decided to boycott the upcoming convocation as they thought that the programme could not be held peacefully due to the current political situation of the country.
The speakers said the graduates from different parts of the country could not attend the convocation because of the ongoing non-stop roads and waterways blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
“We requested the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin, to reschedule the convocation date, considering the safety issues of the participants. But he is determined to hold the convocation on the scheduled date by any means,” said Shamsul Alam.
“Thus, we have decided to boycott the programme. Over 400 teachers from different faculties expressed their solidarity with us and declared not to participate in the event.”
While contacted, Prof Mizanuddin told the Dhaka Tribune: “I cannot change the date as it has been fixed by the Chancellor, President Abdul Hamid.”
“The university authorities will hold the 9th convocation on the scheduled date. All preparation to hold the event have already been taken.”
A total of 4,777 graduates, who had their masters’ degrees from the university in between 2006 and 2010, are registered to attend the convocation, said university administration sources.
