Students lock offices of 3 pro-AL deans at RU demanding resignations

Protesters locked the offices of three pro–Awami League deans at Rajshahi University today (21 December), demanding their resignation.

The deans whose offices were locked are Prof Abu Naser Md Wahid of the Faculty of Law, Prof A S M Kamruzzaman of the Faculty of Business Studies, and Prof S M Ekram Ullah of the Faculty of Social Science.

Amid demands from Rucsu leaders and protesting students, the university administration has announced that a decision on the resignation of six deans affiliated with the Awami League will be taken at a meeting scheduled for 6:30pm.

The decision followed a meeting between university officials, agitating students and the Rucsu general secretary earlier in the afternoon. The meeting, held in the conference room of the Rajshahi University vice-chancellor's office, was attended by the university's two pro vice-chancellors, the registrar and other administrative officials. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib was not present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the students demanded the removal of the six deans, as well as Awami League–aligned members of the university syndicate. They also called for action against teachers they accused of opposing the student movement during the July Uprising, submitting a list of names to the administration.

The administration informed the students that the vice-chancellor had summoned the deans for a meeting at 9am on Monday. However, the protesters rejected the proposal and insisted that the meeting be held at 6:30pm today instead.

During the protest earlier this afternoon, Senate student representative Akil Bin Taleb said student safety has been under serious threat in the post-uprising period.

He alleged that Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the leaders of the mass uprising, was recently shot dead publicly in Dhaka by Awami League activists, describing the incident as a threat to pro-uprising forces.

Meanwhile, Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar wrote in a Facebook post that most offices of pro–Awami League deans had been locked.

"This is what I want—let them remain locked until justice is ensured," he wrote, adding that he had prepared a list of teachers who, he claimed, took positions against students during the mass uprising.

He also called on Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir and other organisations to share any such lists they have, noting that additional names may be added within the next three days.

Regarding the resignation demand, Prof SM Ekram Ullah said he did not wish to continue in the position under the current circumstances.

"I have handed over my responsibilities to the vice-chancellor. Whatever decision the vice-chancellor takes will be final," he said.