BRAC University students resume protests demanding registrar's withdrawal

Students of BRAC University have resumed their movement with a new demand - withdrawal of the registrar.

The fresh spell of protest began on Friday morning. The students also did not sit the scheduled tests of two courses of the computer science and engineering department.

They halted their movement on Thursday night following assurances from the university authorities, but they also had issued a 72-hour ultimatum for their demands to be met.

A spokesperson for the protesters, Kamrun Nahar Dana, told bdnews24.com that they had ended their hunger strike 'out of respect for the teachers' on Thursday night. But the matter had not been discussed with the rest of the general students.

She said they resumed the protests and will stay away from classes and exams as their demand for the registrar's withdrawal during the investigation into the assault of a teacher has not been met.

"We had said that the registrar cannot continue in his post for the sake of a fair inquiry. The university has not issued any public announcement to that effect."

The protesting students have also declared that they will not take any test held under Registrar Md Sahool Afzal, a former army officer.

Since law department teacher Farhaan Uddin Ahmed was allegedly assaulted by Afzal and several other officials on Jul 31, the private university in Dhaka's Mohakhali has been in total disarray with the students demonstrating demanding justice.

In another development, several students started a hunger strike on Thursday morning demanding punishment to the security guards who reportedly attacked them during protests on Tuesday.

Earlier, on Sunday, the students announced a boycott of classes and exams. The university authorities, facing protests, also cancelled classes for Wednesday and Thursday.

Proctor Samia Hoque on Thursday evening met the students and assured them that the university administration will open a probe into the allegations once the students file a written complaint.

"We are really upset about this incident. The university administration will surely take steps if you have been wronged. But first you'll have to make a written complaint. There are some formal procedures," she said.

Afterwards, the students had decided to halt their movement. But hundreds of students gathered in front of the building No. 3 of the university on Friday morning and began protests.

Kamrun Nahar Dana said, "All of our demands including the registrar's removal have to be met. Official announcements on these issues are a must."

"We are stopping no one from sitting the tests," she said. "Anyone can go and sit the tests. But CSE final year students have boycotted the exams."

The students have also demanded a new schedule for their tests following the normal procedure.

The university authorities are yet to react formally to the resumption of protests.

The demands
 
>> Sacking of Registrar Afzal, Assistant Registrar Md Mahi Uddin and Jabed Rasel, a senior officer for the office of co-curricular activities
 
>> Investigation into the assault and sexual harassment of female students by security guards and suspension of all academic activities during the probe.
 
>> Public apology from the vice-chancellor for the harassment of students
 
>> New schedule for exams following talks with students