The educational activities in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) came to a halt for almost three weeks following a demonstration of the students. This is outright unwarranted. We think that the situation would not have gone out of control if the university administration had taken cognizance of the demands of the students from the very beginning.
The students of Sirajunnesa Hall started agitation on 13 January for their three-point demand. Their initial programme was limited to demonstrations. After the BCL attacked the peaceful gathering of the students, the movement turned into boycotting of classes and examinations. But that too was limited to the students of Sirajunnesa Hall. The stalemate has been prolonged due to the reckless decision of the university administration.
When the university administration called the police on campus to break the blockade of students, the situation got out of control. The police did not only use batons and rubber bullets on the students, but also used sound grenades.
The demonstration for three demands turned into one-point movement- resignation of the Vice Chancellor. The university administration still had the opportunity to try to find a solution to the problem through negotiations. Instead they declared the university closed indefinitely and ordered the students to leave within 12 hours.
The students did not follow this order and continued their demonstrations. At one stage, 24 students started a hunger strike. Later some more students joined them. Although most of the students fell ill after a week-long hunger strike, the university administration did not provide them medical treatment. The students had to arrange everything on their own.
When the students were on a hunger strike, education minister Dipu Moni urged them not to embark on hunger strike and to come to Dhaka for talks, which was a very insensitive proposal. At one stage, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, a former teacher of the university, came to the university and was able to break the hunger strike. He performed this duty at the request of the government. This proves that the students have confidence in the former teacher of the university, but not in the administration of the university.
The students also told a press conference last Friday that they would continue their agitation demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor even if they break their fast. On behalf of the government, Zafar Iqbal said the demands of the students will be met and on the basis of that assurance they broke their hunger strike. The government has taken initiative to treat the students suffering after the police attack and hunger strike. Some are being treated in Dhaka.
Many public universities are now offering online classes, despite the government's announcement that educational institutions are closed. But the stalemate is going on in SUST. The use of force by the Shahjalal University administration to counter the student movement is highly reprehensible. University teachers have been silent about the police attack for so long but now they started to speak up.
They also want proper investigation and trial into the attack. In this context, the government should take immediate steps to end the stalemate of Shahjalal University by taking into account the demands of the students. It should be kept in mind that if the students express distrust towards any office bearer, it is not advisable to hold on to his position by force.