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Published : 21 Sep 2025, 05:52 PM
A section of teachers, officers, and staff at Rajshahi University are on strike, demanding exemplary punishment for those allegedly involved in physically assaulting the vice-chancellor and proctor during a protest against “dependent quota”.
The strike has caused a halt in classes and exams across the campus, with administrative activities also suspended on Sunday.
As a result, campaigning for the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) elections has slowed considerably on the campus.
Despite the strike, some teachers conducted classes in open spaces, while lab tests were carried out for certain batches.
A visit to several buildings, including Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji Academic Building, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamal Nazrul Islam Science Building, Satyendra Nath Bose Academic Building, Momtaz Uddin Arts Building, and Shahidullah Academic Building, revealed that they were devoid of students. Classroom doors were locked, and the halls were silent.
Morshedul Islam Peter, a teacher in the law department, conducted a class in the Tukitaki Chattar, while an electronics and electrical engineering department teacher carried out lab tests. Both teachers declined to comment.
A student, who asked not to be named, shared: “We were supposed to have three classes today. Our course teachers informed us in the morning that they couldn’t take the class.”
“Teachers seem more concerned about providing unfair advantages to their children than our education,” the student added.
Second-year finance student Al Mamun Shanto criticised the administration, saying: “By bringing up the dependent quota, the administration is creating new issues for the RUCSU election.
“Today, even though we had classes scheduled, they were cancelled. I don’t even know if the election will happen.”
With classes and exams cancelled, student presence on campus has been minimal, limiting RUCSU candidates’ ability to campaign.
Fahim Reza, a general secretary candidate from the Sammilito Shikkharthi Jote, said: “We only had nine days for campaigning, and with the strike, it’s significantly affecting our reach.”
Kaiser Ahmed, a general secretary candidate from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Parishad, added: “Most students are staying in their halls and messes today due to the strike. This is definitely impacting the campaign.”
