Barishal University students demand resignation of VC over 'reinstating fascism'
The students also staged a protest on the Barishal-Kuakata highway over the demand
A group of Barishal University students have demanded the resignation of their Vice-Chancellor (VC) Suchita Sharmin, alleging her of 'reinstating fascism' at the university, stepmother-like behaviours towards students, and humiliating teachers.
The students demanded the VC's resignation at a press conference held on the ground floor of the university this afternoon (4 May). Afterwards, they staged a protest on the Barishal-Kuakata highway over the demand.
"Students have been raising various demands for a long time. The vice-chancellor had earlier assured to meet our demands. However, her statements today made it clear that none of the demands were accepted. Instead, she was now asking students to sign bonds and withdraw their names from general diaries and lawsuits," Sujoy Shubho, a student leader, said at the press conference.
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"We want to clearly state that Bangladesh has begun its journey with new dreams. But Vice-Chancellor Suchita Sharmin, after taking charge, has been appointing fascist individuals to various positions," he added.
"The language she used in the notice to remove the university's only professor, Mohsin Uddin, from his positions in the Syndicate and Academic Council is unacceptable for a vice-chancellor. She hasn't even expressed regret for this incident once," Sujoy added.
He said students cannot accept Suchita Sharmin as the VC in this situation. "We demand her resignation."
Students from various departments of the university were present at the press conference and the protest afterwards.
Earlier on 29 April night, Barishal University students blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway last night (29 April) in protest against the filing of a General Diary (GD) against 22 students involved in ongoing demonstrations demanding the removal of the university registrar.
The GD was filed on 28 April by BU Assistant Registrar (Security) KM Sanowar Parvez Liton against 22 students for allegedly disrupting the academic environment and creating chaos on campus.
The complaint named 10 students and listed another 10–12 as unidentified.
Earlier, the protesting students had been demanding the removal of Registrar Monirul Islam and the reinstatement of Professor Mohsin Uddin to his former position.
On 27 April, as part of their movement, the students burned an effigy of the registrar and locked his office, after which the GD was filed.
