RU remains paralysed for 3rd day as complete shutdown continues

A complete shutdown enforced by teachers, officers, and staff at Rajshahi University (RU) over the alleged humiliation of teachers regarding the ward quota issue entered its third day today (23 September), leaving the entire campus paralysed.

Classes, examinations, and administrative activities have come to a halt, forcing most students to return home from halls and messes ahead of the scheduled Durga Puja holidays.

"Durga Puja holidays are from 29 September to 5 October. But since classes and exams have already been suspended due to the shutdown, most students are leaving early. That's why the campus looks deserted," said RU student Mir Kadir.

This morning, a section of teachers, officers, and staff demonstrated at the Shaheed Buddhijibi Chattar, demanding exemplary punishment for the students accused of humiliating teachers.

They announced that their protest would continue until visible disciplinary measures are taken.

RU Officers' Association President Moktar Hossain said, "All administrative activities, except urgent services, have been suspended due to the shutdown. We will continue our movement until action is taken against the so-called students who assaulted the teachers. Unfortunately, we see no progress from the administration in this regard."

"On 2 January, teachers, officers, and staff were confined for 10 hours, and though a probe committee was formed, it never saw the light of day. We fear the same will happen with the inquiry committee formed over the 20 September incident. Without visible progress, we will not withdraw our programme," he added. 

Professor Dr Jahangir Hossain, chairman of the Folklore Department, said, "We will continue our protest until the students involved in humiliating teachers are expelled and legal action is taken against them."

Meanwhile, with the RU Central Students' Union (Rucsu) elections approaching, the paralysis caused by the ongoing shutdown has forced the election commission to reschedule the polls, shifting them from 25 September to 16 October.

Tension flared at the university on 20 September, escalating into a scuffle with senior university officials.

Pro-VC Prof Main Uddin, Proctor Prof Mahbubor Rahman, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud, and several other teachers were confined inside Zuberi Bhaban for nearly six hours.

They were released around 11:15pm after students ended the confinement and moved to stage a sit-in demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor's residence.

Later that night, the university authorities issued a notice announcing the suspension of admissions under the ward quota.