Appoint VC at Rajshahi University immediately
The administration of Rajshahi University, including the pro vice-chancellor, has to take responsibility for the misdeeds of the former vice-chancellor Abdus Sobhan. The previous vice-chancellor appointed 138 people on his last working day on 6 May. The education ministry formed an inquiry committee declaring the appointment illegal. Later on 8 May, the university administration suspended the recruitment of the candidates.
The former vice-chancellor has done everything according to his whims, ignoring the rules of the university. The pro-government teachers's organisation, Progotisheel Shikhyak Samaj, also demanded the cancellation of the former vice-chancellor's appointment, marking it illegal. But after more than a month and a half, the ministry of education has not taken any action and the illegal recruits have been demonstrating their power.
Prothom Alo reported that the university syndicate meeting convened last Tuesday was cancelled due to threats from illegal recruits. Ananda Kumar Saha, pro vice-chancellor in charge of the university's routine work, said, "Several persons went to the house of our treasurer and another assistant vice-chancellor on motorbikes and threatened them against joining the syndicate meeting." They also took position in front of the vice-chancellor's residence on Wednesday and Tuesday.
The new recruits had promised not to interfere in the work of the university, but they obstructed many people, including the assistant vice-chancellor, taking position at the entrance of the meeting room of the administrative building. The ministry of education said that the matter would be settled soon. After a month and a half, they could not make a decision. A new vice-chancellor has not yet been appointed.
The law does not give the UGC the power to make decisions. They can only recommend. UGC has met the responsibilities given to it and have also submitted a report to the ministry of education. Earlier, the vice-chancellor relaxed the appointment rules and appointed some people including his daughter and son-in-law. At that time, the UGC's investigation also revealed that the selection was made in violation of the law. After that, the education ministry instructed not to make new appointments at Rajshahi University. But the former vice-chancellor did not heed their instructions and appointed 138 people on his last working day.
Illegally recruited candidates have been pressuring the administration in various ways for their posting. They once even detained university officials in the administrative building. Acting vice-chancellor talked to education minister Dipu Moni at the time. The ministry then said that the matter would be resolved soon. But that ‘soon’ has not come yet. As a result, the recruits are creating chaos on campus.
The ministry of education has said that the recruitment of 138 people is illegal. UGC's investigation has revealed that the recruitment is illegal. Yet how do recruits have the courage to create a nuisance on campus? This situation has been created mainly due to the negligence and indecision of the education ministry.
Legal action needs to be taken against the person who has knowingly made illegal appointments. The education ministry has to make a quick decision. Otherwise, the ministry will have to take the responsibility in case of any untoward incident on campus. A competent and honest person who will at least abide by the laws of the university must be immediately appointed as as the vice chancellor.. We hope the ministry will realise its responsibility soon.