RU officials suspend shutdown with 7-day ultimatum, teachers continue strike
For four days, the campus had been paralysed by a joint shutdown enforced by teachers, officials, and staff protesting the alleged harassment of teachers by students over the dependent quota issue. Classes, exams, and administrative activities were suspended, and most students had left their halls and messes.
Rajshahi University (RU) remains in turmoil as officials and employees suspended their complete shutdown today (24 September) after issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the administration, while teachers vowed to continue their strike, keeping classes and examinations suspended.
The officials' decision came after a meeting with the administration, including the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, treasurer, proctor, registrar, and senior administrators. They agreed to return to work after the administration requested time to restore academic and administrative functions.
However, officials issued a seven-working-day ultimatum, demanding an end to what they described as discrimination against staff, expulsion of students responsible for the 2 January and 20 September violence, and visible institutional action.
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Teachers, meanwhile, announced they would continue their full-day work stoppage. They said no classes or exams would resume until the student status of those who insulted or assaulted teachers and officials is revoked and exemplary punishment is ensured.
For four days, the campus had been paralysed by a joint shutdown enforced by teachers, officials, and staff protesting the alleged harassment of teachers by students over the dependent quota issue. Classes, exams, and administrative activities were suspended, and most students had left their halls and messes.
The unrest stems from the 20 September clash over the quota system, when students confined senior officials, including Pro-VC Prof Main Uddin, Proctor Prof Mahbubor Rahman, and Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud, inside Zuberi Bhaban for nearly six hours. They were released late that night, after which the university suspended admissions under the dependent quota.
The disruption has already forced the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election to be pushed back. Initially scheduled for 25 September, the polls will now be held on 16 October, the election commission said.
Islami Chhatra Shibir has denounced the shutdown as a conspiracy to derail the election. At a human chain in front of the central library yesterday morning, Shibir leaders alleged that a vested section, fearing defeat, was attempting to foil the polls.
"Knowing their imminent defeat, a section is trying to thwart the Rucsu polls. As part of that effort, some teachers, officials, and staff are enforcing this shutdown," said Shibir President Mostakur Rahman Jahid, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the programme.
Shibir leaders also claimed that the protesters' unstated motive was to revive the merit quota issue and weaken student participation, warning that prolonged strikes are delaying academic schedules and harming students preparing for competitive exams.
