Students of Barisal University (BU) have issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the removal of the university’s Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof SM Imamul Haque.
The students issued the ultimatum as they continued protests demanding the removal of the VC for the sixth consecutive day on Monday.
The agitating students gathered in front of the Barisal deputy commissioner’s office and staged a sit-in. They also submitted a memorandum with their demands to President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the deputy commissioner.
The memorandum cites 25 points of alleged corruption and irregularities by the VC, demands he issue an apology in person for his comments against the students, and calls for his removal from the VC post in 48 hours.
If the VC is not removed within this time, the students said they would go on hunger strike.
When Barisal Deputy Commissioner Ajiar Rahman met with the students to receive the memorandum, he asked the students to return to the BU campus in order to maintain peace and discipline.
He also told the students he had already spoken with the Barisal divisional commissioner and BCC mayor regarding their demands, and assured that the memorandum would be sent to the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, the students claimed the BU authorities had closed hall canteens, stopped medical services, and threatened to shut down electricity and water supply, with the aim of forcing the students into stopping their protests.
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When contacted, BU Registrar Prof Hasinur Rahman said both he and the VC are currently in Dhaka to attend a syndicate meeting, and they are trying to solve the current situation through discussions with the protesting students.
“We have asked students to vacate halls, but have not ordered the closure of the canteen, medical centre, or any disruptions to electricity and water supply,” the BU registrar added.
Earlier on Wednesday, the students of Barisal University began demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of an “offensive comment” made by the VC while he was addressing a program marking the 49th Independence Day on the campus. The students also demanded he be removed from the VC post.
The VC allegedly referred to the students as “razakarer baccha (the children of collaborators).”
On Thursday, the university issued a notice that said the university will remain closed for an indefinite period of time, from March 28, for the sake of the security of the students, teachers, and staff; as well as the state of law and order on and around the campus.
Despite the notice, students continued their protests on the campus.
On Friday, the VC apologized for his remark in a press release, which was rejected by the students.
"Unambiguously, I want to say that I didn't call the students razakarer bachcha... I only said if anyone tries to foil any program on the Independence Day, he or she would be a razakarer bachcha,” the VC said in the statement.
