Kuet students apologise to teachers in an open letter

Students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) apologised to the teachers of the university in an open letter posted on a Facebook page named "Kuet 19" last night (27 April). 

The letter mentioned that it included signatures from student representatives of all 16 departments of the university.

"We are like your children, and if any of our behaviours have shown even the slightest disrespect, we are sorry and sincerely remorseful. We deeply regret our mistakes and humbly ask for your forgiveness. You are like fathers to us and, in many ways, even more respected. Each of your words is guidance for our lives. We sincerely hope you will view our mistakes with forgiveness," students wrote in the letter. 

"We believe that our beloved Kuet will once again be bound by unity and mutual respect, with teachers and students working together to elevate this institution to world-class standards. We are optimistic that every member of the Kuet family will contribute to building a healthy, beautiful, politics-free campus."

Describing the background of the incident in the open letter, the students wrote to the teachers: "As you all know, on 18 February, Chhatra Dal and outsider BNP leaders and activists carried out a shameful and barbaric attack on general students in our beloved campus using pistols, machetes, and other locally-made weapons." 

"More than 150 students and one respected teacher were injured in this attack, which is a painful chapter in Kuet's history. But we are observing with great sadness that some self-interested and conspiratorial groups are trying to hide the real truth of this attack and divert it in a different direction. They want to pit teachers and students against each other for their own political gain. Yet we firmly believe that our teachers are wise and, above all, student-friendly. Despite this, due to this unfortunate conspiracy, an artificial distance has been created between students and teachers," reads the letter. 

"These self-interested groups are propagating that the movement is anti-teacher or anti-education. We want to clearly state that this movement was neither anti-education nor anti-teacher. This movement was against terrorism and corruption and was a peaceful initiative. Its main objective is to build a Kuet free from tail-based political influence, safe and conducive to pursuing knowledge," the students wrote. 

"The single demand of students and teachers is a politics-free, safe, and proper educational environment. This movement is a reflection of that. Nevertheless, if any student's behaviour or statement during the movement has hurt the respected teachers, we express our deep regret from the bottom of our hearts," the letter concludes. 

The relationship between teachers and students at Kuet has deteriorated significantly due to various recent incidents. The vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, and several other teachers have been humiliated. Since the 18 February incident, teachers and students have engaged in confrontations multiple times.

In this situation, leaders of the Kuet Teachers' Association have declared they will not return to classes until those responsible for the humiliation of teachers are brought to justice. Dr Md Faruk Hossain, general secretary of the Teachers' Association, told journalists last Thursday (24 April) that those guilty of causing the conflict should be held accountable, stating there is no connection between this incident and the removal of the university's vice-chancellor.

"A crime is a crime - this is the demand of our students and teachers. Our clear position is that justice must be ensured before returning to class. Otherwise, a proper educational environment cannot be guaranteed," he said.

On 18 February, a clash occurred at Kuet between general students and Chhatra Dal and outsider BNP leaders and activists over demands to ban student politics. 

Around a hundred Kuet students were injured in this incident. Kuet students began a movement accusing the administration of supporting the attackers, and after a 65-day movement, the interim government removed Kuet Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Masud. 

During various phases of the movement, there were verbal confrontations between teachers and Kuet students.