Kuet students remain firm in demand for VC’s resignation

Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet) remain steadfast in their demand for the resignation of Prof Mohammad Mashud, vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Shariful Ala, pro-vice-chancellor, and director of Student Welfare following the recent attack on campus.

At a press briefing this afternoon (20 February), the students reiterated their stance and said they will not participate in any academic activities under the administration of the VC, pro-VC, and director of Student Welfare.

They further expressed concerns for their safety, citing the administration's failure to explicitly acknowledge Chhatra Dal's involvement in the attack.

The students also brought out a procession and held a demonstration on campus, during which they showed red cards demanding a permanent ban on politics by all student platforms on campus.

They said that while the current government rose to power following a student uprising, none of its advisers has reached out to them even after three days.

Students of Kuet during a protest march demanding resignation of Vice Chancellor Mohammad Mashud on 20 february. Photo: TBS

Earlier on 18 February, a clash erupted between Kuet students and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal over the demand to ban student politics on campus.

According to witnesses, Chhatra Dal, the BNP's student body, started a campaign first on campus, leading to protests by a group of students who opposed student politics.

Later, the two groups had a confrontation in front of the campus's central mosque, escalating into a clash. They also hurled bricks at each other amid a chase and counter-chase.

According to leaders of Chhatra Dal and Students Against Discrimination, at least 30 people were injured during the clash.

Protesting students then locked up Kuet Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Mashud and announced a boycott of classes and examinations seeking the implementation of their five demands, including a ban on student politics on campus.