Students Lock Gate over Director's Appointment at Jahangirnagar University; Chhatra Dal Breaks Lock to Free VC

Students of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture (ICLC) at Jahangirnagar University (JU) locked the main gate of the new administrative building over the appointment of the institute's director. Later, leaders and activists of the university unit of Chhatra Dal broke the lock and brought the vice-chancellor out.

On Tuesday (3 November) at around 5:30 pm, while a special syndicate meeting was under way, the students locked the building's main gate. At around 7 pm, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists broke that lock and freed the vice-chancellor. The effort was led by the unit's convener Zahiruddin Mohammad Babar and member secretary Wasim Ahmed Anik, along with other top leaders of the organisation.

The students said they blocked the gate after demanding an appointment to the director's post in accordance with the rules but receiving no clear assurance from the administration.

Earlier, on Monday (2 November), an office order of the university gave Professor Dr Mostafa Nazmul Mansur of the Philosophy Department charge as the institute's new director. The appointment was made after the institute's former director, Professor Dr Shamima Sultana, was relieved upon being nominated as a member of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). However, dissatisfaction and disagreement arose among teachers after the appointment. Students of the institute objected that the appointment was contrary to the rules.

Md Shahriar, a student of the institute's 53rd batch, said: 'A professor from the Philosophy Department has been given charge as director of our institute. But we want someone from among our own department's teachers to get the responsibility. In particular, it would be good for the department if associate professor Hamim Kamrul Haque were given it now. But the university administration is depriving him of his rights by accusing him of being a pro-Awami League teacher.' He added that if Hamim Kamrul Haque is not given the post, it should go to Professor Dr Aniruddha Kahali of the Bangla Department, who is involved with the institute's activities; they do not want anyone from the Philosophy Department.

Chhatra Dal leaders, on the other hand, claim that associate professor Hamim Kamrul Haque is involved with Awami League politics. They allege that he is trying to destabilise the campus by maintaining contact with fugitive Awami League leaders. They said whoever the administration gives the responsibility to will be the final decision. The Chhatra Dal leaders also alleged that those involved in locking the gate were trying to create disorder on campus.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nurul Islam told journalists: 'The President of Bangladesh has given me the responsibility of working at this university. I am the guardian of this university. If students have any problem or need, they will meet me and talk. But they have no authority to lock the registrar building and obstruct academic activities.' He said everyone who locked the gate, the teachers behind it and those who instigated it would be identified and action taken under university law.