SAU Students Protest Secretariat Relocation to Trade Fair Ground, Take Soil-Test Equipment and Two Vehicles to Campus
Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) have protested the plan to move the Bangladesh Secretariat from its current location to the old trade fair ground in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The students claim the old trade fair ground belongs to the university.
Soil testing work was under way at the fair ground on Tuesday for setting up the Secretariat there. Around midday, students marched to the ground in protest and took the soil-testing equipment and two vehicles to the university campus.
The students demand that ownership of the ground be returned to the university and that no other structure be built or activity carried out there. More than a hundred students joined the protest march.
Slogans heard from the march included 'SAU students' action, direct action', 'Not the Secretariat, SAU, SAU' and 'Take back, take back'.
Ashik Ahmed, one of the leaders of the movement, said: 'This land was previously in the university's name. But the government is working to relocate the Secretariat here. We do not want that. This ground must be returned for the university's research work. That is our demand.'
About taking the equipment away, Ashik said: 'When those now working at the ground come to take back the equipment and vehicles, let there be a discussion with the university authorities. That is what we want.'
Alongside the march and taking away the equipment, the students also boycotted classes and examinations on the day. Teachers said they had requested the students to return to classes and sit for their exams.
A section of the university's former students also joined the programme. They have formed a steering committee to reclaim the ground for the university. The committee's convener is Professor M Salahuddin Mahmud Chowdhury, a teacher of the university. He said the steering committee is working systematically to protect SAU's property, with steps including submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister, holding a press conference and writing to the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner's office.
About the students' programme, Salahuddin Mahmud said: 'The students are carrying out the programme on their own decision; they have boycotted classes and exams. They have also announced an indefinite boycott of examinations. They have requested the Vice-Chancellor to convene a syndicate meeting quickly. They are also considering going to court if necessary.' He added that he had requested the students to sit their exams first and then hold programmes.
Acting Proctor Professor Mohammad Tajul Islam said over the phone that the movement is not the university administration's programme but the students' own. However, the administration is trying to take necessary steps, including applying to the Prime Minister, to recover the ground in the university's interest.
The acting proctor added that the administration has learned that students brought some soil-testing equipment and two vehicles from the trade fair ground to the campus. They are careful that the equipment is not damaged in any way, and they are also trying to ensure the movement does not turn into any clash. Talking to the students, it was learned that they will hold a black-flag programme on Wednesday.
