Barisal University VC apologises for his remarks

Amid growing student protests, Barishal University vice-chancellor professor Imamul Huq on Friday apologises for his recent “offensive comment,” reports news agency UNB.

In a press statement signed by university public relations officer Faisal Ahmed, the VC requested the media to publish his apology saying that his recent remark was misunderstood by the students.

"Unambiguously, I want to say that I didn't call the students razakarer bachcha (sons of collaborators of Pakistani forces)... I only said if anyone tries to foil any programme on the Independence Day, he or she would be razakarer bachcha,” the VC said in the statement.

“Even then, I apologise if any of my students got hurt by the statement, and I seek cooperation from them in running the university's academic activities smoothly as before,” he said.

On Tuesday, students started demonstrations alleging that the vice chancellor organised the Independence Day programme on the campus without inviting students, and when they protested this action, he called them “razakarer bachcha”.

Later on Thursday morning, the authorities issued a notice announcing shut down of the university for an indefinite period amid the protests.

According to the notice, the university will remain closed for an indefinite period from 28 March for the sake of security of its students, teachers and staff. The students were also asked to vacate their residential halls and dormitories.

Though they left the campus, students intensified their protests demanding the VC's resignation.

Meanwhile, on the fourth consecutive day on Friday evening, students brought out a torch procession from the university's Central Shaheed Minar and demonstrated taking position on Barishal-Patuakhali road in front the VC’s residence for a while.

Later, the agitating students burnt an effigy of the VC and chanted slogans demanding his resignation.