Over 400 pro-BNP and Jamaat-backed teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) under the banner of “white panel” declared that they would boycott the 9thconvocation of the university scheduled to be held on January 18.
The teachers will boycott the convocation functions because they think that there is no favorable situation to hold the event peacefully.
The announcement came from a press conference held at Teacher’s Lounge at Zubeeri Building on the campus around 11:30am yesterday.
White panel convener Prof Shamsul Alam Sarkar read out the written statement in the briefing where over 100 teachers were present.
The speakers said the indefinite blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20 party alliance is going on across the country. The graduates from different parts of the country could not participate in the convocation safely because it has been quite tough to travel across the country.
“We requested Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin to reschedule the convocation date, but he is adamant to hold the convocation on the scheduled date anyhow, Shamsul Alam added.
“We come to the decision to boycott the convocation considering the present unrest in the country and insecurity of the graduates”, he said.
Alam also said over 400 pro-BNP and Jamaat-backed teachers would not participate in the convocation.
Vice Chancellor Prof Mizanuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that as the university Chancellor President Md Abdul Hamid set the convocation date, he could not change it.
A total of 4,777 graduates, who had their masters’ degrees from the university during the year 2006 to 2010, are registered to attend the convocation, said university administration sources.
