Victory for Kuet students after 65 days of protest and 58 hours of hunger strike

Highlights 

• A clash broke out at Kuet on 18 February between students and Chhatra Dal, BNP activists
• The incident left around 100 students injured
• Students accused the VC of failing to ensure campus safety
• Allegations were also raised against the VC for allegedly supporting the reintroduction of student politics on campus
• In response, students launched a movement demanding the VC's resignation

As their bodies grew weak from hunger during a 58-hour-long hunger strike, Kuet students finally received the news they had been waiting for: the interim government has initiated the process to relieve the Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet) of his duties, fulfilling the key demand of the protesting students.

The announcement came in at midnight (24 April), sparking jubilant celebrations across the campus.

"At around 1:15am, Tanzim Sir came to campus and read out a letter sent from the Ministry of Education. It stated that the authoritarian VC is being removed by the government. Since then, a wave of joy has swept across the campus," said Rahatul Islam, a student of the Civil Engineering department who had been on hunger strike.

"This victory is possible because students from all universities across Bangladesh stood beside us. We are grateful to each one of them. If any VC at any campus acts like a dictator again, we will rise up once more," he added.

Students had been demanding the resignation of the Kuet VC since a violent clash on 18 February between students and members of the BNP's student wing, Chhatra Dal, along with some outsiders affiliated with the party.  

More than 100 students were injured during the incident. 

The following day, students locked down the administrative and academic buildings. 

The syndicate then decided to suspend all political activities on campus and formed an investigation committee. That night, the administration filed a case with Khanjahan Ali Police Station against 400–500 unidentified individuals.

Since then, students have been demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor, accusing him of failing to ensure their safety and of allegedly supporting efforts to reintroduce student politics on campus. 

On 20 February, students organised a protest rally and showed 'red cards' to all political student organisations, demanding the resignation of the VC. 

On 23 February, students travelled to Dhaka and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, outlining six demands including the VC's resignation and justice for the 18 February attack.

Subsequently, the 99th emergency syndicate meeting on 25 February decided to shut down all residential halls indefinitely. Students were ordered to vacate the dormitories by 10am the next day, prompting further protests on campus.

In response, they launched a protest that extended over 65 days.

A notice signed by Md Mamun Or Rashid, public relations officer of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting quoting the Ministry of Education, confirmed that the process of relieving the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor from their duties has begun. 

Govt decides to remove Kuet VC Prof Mashud from post in the face of growing protests

A search committee will soon be formed to appoint successors to the two positions, while a senior professor will be appointed as acting VC to ensure the university's regular operations in the interim.

Earlier that morning (23 April), at around 9:45am, Prof CR Abrar, adviser to the Ministry of Education, visited the Kuet campus and urged the students to end their hunger strike. However, the students rejected his request and informed him of their challenges, including the disconnection of water and internet services in their dormitories. They also raised concerns about the suspension of 37 students and the filing of cases against them.

The adviser, accompanied by two University Grants Commission (UGC) members, assured the students that their grievances would be addressed promptly. 

Dr Abrar left the campus around 10:30am, refusing to meet with the university administration or faculty associations, despite their request for a meeting. He also declined to enter the administrative building.

Later, a meeting was held between UGC members and Kuet administration. 

By 12:30pm, the 102nd emergency syndicate meeting took two major decisions: the suspension orders for the 37 students were withdrawn, and the university's seven residential halls were officially reopened. 

Notably, students had already broken the locks and re-entered the halls before the official announcement.

The hunger strike began at 3pm on Monday (21 april) with 32 students participating. Since then, five students had fallen ill and were hospitalised, while two returned home due to health concerns.

Previously, in the 101st emergency syndicate meeting on 14 April, the university had decided to suspend 37 students in connection with the 18 February clash. 

Kuet's acting public relations officer, Shaheduzzaman Sheikh, said the decision was based on a sealed investigation report submitted by a committee formed during the 98th emergency syndicate meeting held on 19 February. 

The report was accepted by the syndicate, and further action was delegated to the university's student disciplinary committee.

The syndicate had also announced that classes would resume from 4 May and residential halls would reopen from 2 May.

Meanwhile, on 10 April, Hochen Ali, a resident of Maheshwarpasha North Banikapara area in Khulna, filed a case against 22 Kuet students in the Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. 

The case alleged that on 18 February, Ali was attacked near Kuet's pocket gate by a group of students who assaulted him with iron rods and sticks and stole his gold chain.

However, students claimed the case was fabricated at the behest of the Kuet administration. 

"It is impossible for an outsider to know the names and details of 22 students without assistance from the administration," they said.