CU Senate session held amid student protests; 24 AL-backed teacher representatives absent
Student organisations protested the Senate session, while 24 members of the Cucsu announced a boycott, demanding action against teachers accused of backing the Awami League during the July Mass Uprising.
The 36th Senate session of Chittagong University (CU) was held today (8 August) amid protests by student organisations, with 24 of the university's 33 elected teacher representatives absent from the session.
The absent representatives are backed by the Awami League, and eight of them had participated in a silent procession against students during the July Mass Uprising, according to student leaders.
The Senate session began at 11am at the vice-chancellor's conference room.
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One of the eight teachers, Prof Dr Md Danesh Miah of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, said they had come to attend the session but could not enter because the university administration failed to provide adequate security.
"All of us came. But the administration could not provide us with security. That is why we could not enter the Senate," he said.
The other seven teachers who participated in the silent procession are Prof Dr Alak Paul of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies; Prof Siraj Ud Daullah and Prof Dr Khosrul Alam Kuddusi of the Department of Public Administration; Prof ABM Abu Noman of the Department of Law; Prof Dr Sukanta Bhattacharjee of the Department of English; Prof Dr Mohammad Nasim Hasan of the Department of Physics; and Prof Dr Mohammad Mahbubul Hoque of the Department of History.
The last election for CU Senate teacher representatives was held on 30 April 2015, when the Awami League-backed Yellow Panel won all 33 seats. The BNP-Jamaat-backed White Panel did not participate in that election.
No teacher representative election has been held since then. Of the 33 elected representatives, 24 are currently serving at the university, according to university sources.
Student protests
Leaders and activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, Voice of Students and Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal staged demonstrations and a sit-in in front of the university's administrative building ahead of the Senate session.
The protesters demanded action against teachers whom they accused of taking positions against students during the July Mass Uprising.
Later, 24 members of the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (Cucsu) announced a boycott of the Senate session at a press conference.
Cucsu General Secretary Sayed Bin Habib said the demands extended beyond the eight teachers who participated in the silent procession.
"We are not just talking about these eight teachers. Action must also be taken against teachers involved in student torture, aiding killings, and efforts to bring back Sheikh Hasina. We have submitted 19 demands regarding these matters," he said.
CU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman said they had staged the sit-in after receiving reports that the eight teachers would attend the Senate session.
"Later, the vice-chancellor assured us that they would not be present in the session," he said.
Ashikur Rahman, president of Voice of Students, said they had demanded action against teachers who took positions against the July movement.
"We were informed that the eight teachers would not be allowed in the session. Action must also be taken against other Awami League-backed members," he said.
