Six pro-AL deans at Rajshahi University step aside after student protests
The move followed an emergency meeting after day-long campus unrest over tenure extensions and allegations linked to the July Uprising
Six deans aligned with the Awami League at Rajshahi University have expressed their inability to continue in office following sustained pressure from student leaders and protesters, university officials said today (21 December).
The development came after an emergency meeting held at the residence of Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib at around 6:30pm, attended by the six deans and senior university officials.
During the meeting, the deans submitted written statements stating they were unwilling to continue in their roles beyond their extended terms.
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Registrar Iftikharul Alam Masud later said the administration had accepted their position after nearly four hours of discussion.
The deans who stepped aside are Professor Abu Naser Md Wahid (Law), Professor Nasima Akhter (Science), Professor ASM Kamruzzaman (Business Studies), Professor SM Ekram Ullah (Social Science), Professor Bimal Kumar Pramanik (Engineering) and Professor AHM Selim Reza (Geoscience).
Their original terms ended on 17 December, but the university administration had recently extended their tenure, citing academic necessities. The move triggered protests from students, who accused the deans of opposing the July Uprising and demanded their removal.
Earlier in the day, protesters locked the offices of the vice-chancellor, pro vice-chancellor, registrar, proctor, and several deans at the administrative building. The locks were removed in the afternoon after assurances that a decision would be taken following a meeting with the deans.
The agitation intensified following the recent killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, which student leaders described as a turning point in their demand for action against Awami League–aligned teachers.
Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar led several protest programmes throughout the day.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammad Main Uddin later said an official decision would be completed and announced either later in the evening or by Monday.
Meanwhile, Social Science Faculty Dean Professor SM Ekram Ullah said he did not wish to continue in office under the current circumstances. "I have handed over my responsibilities to the vice-chancellor. Whatever decision he takes will be final," he said.
University authorities did not immediately comment on whether fresh appointments or interim arrangements would be made.
