SUST VC defends Chhatra League student ‘attackers’ who manhandled agitating teachers

The Vice-Chancellor of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, has stood firmly behind students who attacked teachers on Sunday.

Hours after the assault that shocked the nation, he has described them as activists trying to protect the institution’s academic environment.  
 
Bhuiyan has also denied having received any complaint regarding any of the attacks on the teachers. 

Instead, he has accused the agitating academics demanding his resignation of having attacked him.
 

The Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling Awami League’s student front, had refused to take responsibility for the assault on the teachers but said it would investigate the incident. 

A section of pro-government teachers, who are part of the movement against the VC, have called a half a day’s shutdown on Monday in protest against manhandling of teachers.

A group of students attacked the teachers agitating for the VC’s removal when they staged a sit-in in front of the administrative building on Sunday morning before an Academic Council meeting.

The students shouted Chhatra League slogans and went on to remove the banner placed by the agitating teachers, manhandled them and even allegedly beat up some.

While the fracas was still on, the VC passed that way, entered the building and went to his chamber.

Bhuiyan held a press conference in the evening amidst the day-long tension. “The fact is I have been attacked. To whom shall I turn for justice?” he asked.

“I have been obstructed while entering my office. I have come to hold the Academic Council meeting at the behest of the education ministry.

“I am hurt by the assault by the teachers. They prevented me from walking along the road that leads to my office. I had to wade through slush and grass to get there.”

He dubbed Sunday’s incident as “shameful and condemnable” but made it clear that he had not received any complaint of assault on teachers.

“No teacher has lodged any complaint to me about any attack on them. I will certainly look into it if there is a complaint,” he added.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has sat with both the sides to resolve the crisis. 

An order was also issued curbing the VC’s power to make appointments, assign new duties, and introduce new systems. But the movement has persisted with the VC refusing to resign.

Chhatra League denies responsibilities

The Bangladesh Chhatra League (CL), meanwhile, has refused to take responsibility for the assault.

Sanjiban Chakravarty Partha, the BCL’s university unit President, said after the incident at the SUST Press Club, “The incident of assault was not an organisational decision. 

“A committee will be formed to see if anyone from the Chhatra League is involved, and organisational action will be taken if anyone is found have a hand.”  

At the time of the incident, Partha and General Secretary Imran Khan were seen standing barely 20 feet away.

Explaining the proximity, Partha said: “The general secretary and I went there because the agitating teachers had called us when the students had gathered in front of the VC’s office.”  

The BCL’s Senior Vice President Abu Syed, Vice President Anjan Roy and Senior Joint Secretary Sajedul Islam Sabuj were seen taking part in assault. Several other CL activists were with them. 

Partha said, “We will investigate the matter.” 

Syed, Roy, Sabuj, Khan, and leader Bijit Lal were present at the press conference.

Teachers announce new programme

The agitating teachers have announced a new programme following Sunday’s incident. 

As planned, they will stay away from work for half a day on Monday, wear black badges, and take out a procession. 

“Moreover, the agitation will only get tougher until the VC is removed ,” Prof Syed Shamsul Alam, the spokesperson for the agitators, warned.