Over the past few days, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has witnessed volatile situation, with most of the teachers, students, employees and former students demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor; their procession is becoming long and now the movement has gained momentum with the support of civil society.
The situation has, however, become uncertain in the wake of the formation of a so-called forum in favour of the alleged persons. What will happen and what is waiting for BUET next? If the newly formed forum demanded that the vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor should step down only after a judicial investigation committee finds the allegations levelled against them to be true, one could have rest assured.
However, the new forum has threatened the protestors, asking them to go back to their classes and withdraw the movement. Why are they in favour of the embattled vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor? They know the agitating teachers returned to classrooms on May 5 after the prime minister had assured them that the problems would be resolved. However, when the teachers found nothing had happened in the ensuing two months, they took to the streets again. Why hasn’t the new forum pressured the government to keep the promise?
We do not support suspension of academic activities in the name of agitation, nor do we support any forum in favour of corruption and politics. We don’t claim the allegation is true until it is proved. There are two options to avoid any kind of clash in future: either a judicial investigation committee can be formed or the vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor can resign immediately. The second option is preferable; after all, when a teacher loses credibility and dignity in the eyes of his students, he is left with very little.
Mohammad Jashim Uddin
Rupnagar, Dhaka