Chhatra Dal accuses Shibir of destabilising DUET campus

The Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal has condemned ongoing unrest at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), blaming activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir disguised as general students for destabilising the campus over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor.

On Sunday, the BNP's student wing called for a thorough investigation into the matter and immediate legal action against those responsible for the violence.

The government reshuffled the top administrative posts of 11 universities on Thursday, appointing Prof Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) as the new VC of DUET.

Following the announcement, a section of students launched demonstrations and blocked roads demanding a VC from among DUET’s own faculty, arguing that appointments from outside disrupt university administration.

The tension escalated into violence on Sunday morning when students gathered under the banner of "Red Card to the New VC". 

Upon hearing rumours of the new VC's arrival to join office, the demonstrators locked the university's main gate.

Witnesses said a series of intermittent clashes broke out between two groups on campus, leaving several people injured by brickbats. 

While the demonstrating students claimed that "outsiders" launched an attack on them, Chhatra Dal offered a different narrative.

It says appointing VCs from other premier institutions is a standard and widely accepted practice. 

They alleged that the protests are politically motivated.

Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir claimed that the outgoing DUET administration -- previously accused of nepotism, lack of transparency, and arbitrary appointments -- has joined forces with Shibir to halt the university's normal functions over the past few days.