RU Officers' Association announce indefinite shutdown over pro-VC harassment
The RU administration has suspended admissions under the ward quota system — reserved for children of teachers, officials, and staff — following escalating student protests.
The Rajshahi University (RU) Officers' Association has declared an indefinite "complete shutdown" of all academic and administrative activities from Monday (22 September), demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the harassment of the pro-vice chancellor.
The announcement came at an emergency press conference in front of the university's Zuberi Bhaban this evening (21 September), where association president Muktar Hossain alleged that teachers, officers, and staff had been "deceived" by the decisions taken in the latest meeting.
"We will refrain from all activities until visible, exemplary punishment is ensured against the criminal group that assaulted the pro-vice chancellor," he said.
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The RU Syndicate has suspended admissions under the ward quota system — reserved for children of teachers, officials, and staff — following escalating student protests.
The decision was finalised at an emergency syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib at his residence from 3:30pm to 5pm today.
Meanwhile, in protest against the assault, the teachers of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum have decided not to hold any classes or examinations until the perpetrators are punished. The organisation took the decision at a meeting at Zuberi Bhaban tonight.
In a press release, the Rajshahi University branch of the forum, also announced that a human chain and a protest programme will be held tomorrow at 11:00am to protest the assault.
Yesterday, tensions boiled over on campus as students scuffled with senior officials, including Pro-VC Prof Main Uddin and Proctor Prof Mahbubor Rahman, over the ward quota issue.
The officials, along with Registrar Prof Masud and several teachers, were confined inside Zuberi Bhaban for nearly six hours before being released around 11:15pm.
Students later staged a sit-in in front of the VC's residence, prompting the administration to suspend ward quota admissions through a late-night notice.
In a related development, RU teachers, officers, and employees are observing a full-day work abstention today (21 September), in line with the decision announced the previous night at a press briefing by Prof Abdul Alim, president of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum.
