​SUST teachers protest demanding VC’s resignation continues

The pro-Awami League teachers’ faction at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has resumed their sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor’s office to press for his resignation.

The ‘Mohan Muktijuddher Chetanay Udbuddha Shikshak Parishad’ has been agitating in support of their demand since Tuesday.

The platform’s Convener Professor Syed Samsul Alam on Wednesday said, “The vice-chancellor had promised to step down after his two-month leave. His leave ended on Tuesday. But he hasn’t resigned yet.”

The protest would continue until VC Aminul Haque Bhuiyan resigned, Alam told bdnews24.com. “If anything untoward happens by then, he (the VC) will be responsible.”

Bhuiyan on Tuesday evening had told reporters that he discussed several issues with the agitating teachers but had made no commitment.

The VC had gone on a leave in the face of an agitation by the same group of teachers two months ago. He was supposed to return to work on Jun 23 at the end of his leave.

But he suddenly resumed office a day before the completion of his leave and formed a new proctorial committee.

In protest, the group of teachers kept Bhuiyan confined to his office from Monday morning to afternoon.

Prof Alam said classes and tests would held as scheduled despite their agitation.

Meanwhile, the Teachers Association’s general meeting was held in the university’s ‘mini auditorium’ on Wednesday morning.

The body’s general secretary, vice-president, five executive committee members, and the agitating pro-Awami League teachers did not attend the meeting.

Association President Prof Kabir Hossain said they urged the protesters to end their movement.

A group of students also held a human-chain in front of the Central Library in the afternoon protesting against the teachers’ agitation.

But the teachers claimed those students were mainly leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party, who supported the ‘corrupt’ VC.

Reached for comment, SUST BCL unit leader Sajedul Islam Sabuj said, “People’s leader (Prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina has appointed the vice-chancellor. Chhatra League will support him as long as the leader wants him there.”