BCL wasn't supposed to 'rescue' VC, either: DUTA president

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) president ASM Maksud Kamal on Sunday said confining the vice-chancellor to his office to realise a demand is in no way expected.

He was referring to the leaders of the left-leaning student organisations and a section of general students who had demonstrated in front of the VC's office last week. They were demanding punishment to BCL men who had assaulted female students in an earlier demonstration, organised to press home the demand for cancellation of the affiliation of seven government colleges with Dhaka University.

"It was also not expected that the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) would rush there to 'rescue' the VC," said Maksud Kamal at a human chain at the feet of Aparajeyo Bangla.

The DUTA organised the human chain protesting the vandalism of VC and proctorial offices and misconduct with VC Md Akhtaruzzaman.

On 23 January, leaders and activists of BCL, the student wing of ruling Awami League, allegedly attacked left-leaning student leaders and a section of general students who had reportedly confined the VC to his office to realise their four-point demand.

Some 40 students, including leaders of left-leaning organisations, were hurt while the BCL claimed 12 of their activists were also injured.

Asked why the university authorities did not take the help of the law enforcement agencies regarding the alleged confinement of the VC, the DUTA president said, "Had police come, a section of students would have said -- why police are deployed on the campus? the authorities should answer it."

Maksud Kamal said an investigation is being carried out to find out why the BCL men went there and what they did.