RU appoints 'patron of SAD coordinators' as info officer

Rashedul Islam alias Rashed Rajan, reportedly known as a "patron" of Students Against Discrimination coordinators during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has been appointed as an information officer in the Public Relations Department of Rajshahi University.

The appointment was announced through an office order, signed by the university's acting registrar Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud, today (3 March). 

During the July uprising, Rashed Rajon, student of the Urdu Department of RU, was arrested in an explosives case and sent to jail. 

After the uprising, he was introduced in various meetings and seminars as one of the "masterminds" or "patrons" of the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination. 

However, his appointment sparked criticism from various groups. Students said it needs to be checked whether Rashed has been "appointed under any quota".

According to the university's teachers, if a department faces a shortage of staff, that department submits a request for recruitment to the vice chancellor. However, if there is a delay in issuing the recruitment circular, the vice chancellor can make ad-hoc appointments on an urgent basis. However, it is essential that a qualified and experienced person is appointed.

Contacted, Vice Chancellor Professor Saleh Hassan Nakeeb, said, "I believe that with his [Rashed's] knowledge and experience he will make a positive contribution to the university with his qualifications."

Acting registrar of the university Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud said, "Rashed was appointed by the vice chancellor's order. He has been appointed on an ad-hoc basis for the next six months."

President of a student union of RU Rakib Hossain said the recruitment process was entirely undemocratic, stating, "The university administration has appointed someone to maintain their dominance. It must be checked whether he was appointed under any quota."

In a Facebook group called "Rajshahi University Family," a student named Ahsan Habib wrote, "What was the point of the movement against the quota system in government jobs that cost the lives of over two thousand people? After abolishing the freedom fighter quota, the coordinator quota has been reintroduced. How was someone appointed to a first-class job at Rajshahi University without any notice or exam?"

Regarding this, one of the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination Salauddin Ammar, said, "It should be verified whether the appointment was made based on merit. And why was the ad-hoc appointment made so hastily without issuing a notice?"

Convener of the university unit of the Chhatra Dal Sultan Ahmed Rahi said, "We do not know whether the university administration issued any circular. We also do not understand under which quota the coordinators are being appointed. It is a matter of investigation whether someone is being rewarded. The only criterion for employment should be merit. That is what we expect."