The deadlock on Barisal University (BU) campus continued for the 22nd day on Thursday, as teachers and employees of the university joined students in protests demanding the removal of BU Vice-Chancellor, Prof SM Imamul Huq.
The protesters demands also include standardizing service and employment rules.
BU students and leaders, as well as the BU Teachers Association (BUTA) and BU employee welfare associations, jointly organized a human chain in front of the university’s academic building around 11am. The protest, led by BUTA Secretary Abu Zafar Mia, went on for about two hours.
BUTA Vice President, Sardar Kaosar Ahmed, former BUTA presidents Arif Hossain and Tanvir Kaisar, student leaders Shafikul Islam, Jahirul Islam, and Tonusree Bhattachrjee, BU Officers Association leader Barun Kumar Dey, and leaders of the BU third and fourth class employee associations, Harunor Rashid and Bony Ameen, were among those who addressed the human chain.
Speakers said the VC and his associates often imposed new orders on students, teachers, and employees of the university, which were in violation of rules and regulations of BU.
The autocratic VC had made the BU campus lawless and unstable, destroying the academic environment, they added.
The teachers of BU also expressed solidarity with the students in their protests against irregularities in employment, promotion, and benefits.
BU employee welfare associations placed a 12-point demand, which includes calls to end irregularities in recruitment, promotion, and benefits.
BU students began protests on March 27, when VC, Prof SM Imamul Huq, said students who had foiled an Independence Day program were “razakaerer bachcha (the children of traitors).”
On March 28, authorities shut down the university for an indefinite period, amid student protests demanding removal of the VC for his “offensive” comment.
On March 29, Prof Imamul Huq expressed regrets about his comment, saying it was misunderstood by students.
The acting registrar and public relations officer of BU have been declared persona non grata by students, who claim they were appointed in violation of rules and regulations regarding qualifications and experience.
