Attempts are being made to destabilise educational institutions: PUST vice-chancellor

For the past 20 years there was no legitimate rule, no rule of law and no voting rights in the country, said Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim, vice-chancellor of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST). He said fascist forces are conspiring to obstruct the progress of the new Bangladesh.

As part of that, attempts are being made to create instability in educational institutions, just as in various other places in the country, he commented.

The vice-chancellor made the remarks on Saturday noon at a rally on the PUST campus protesting the terrorist activities of fascist forces and banned organisations across the country. The rally, organised at the initiative of general teachers, was held in front of the administration building.

The vice-chancellor said that, fed up with the fascists' misrule, the people ousted them through movements and struggles culminating in the student-people's uprising. Through that, the journey of the new Bangladesh began.

But the fascists who fled are now engaged in a planned conspiracy to obstruct that journey, the country's progress and its independent path, he alleged. He also commented that they want to establish a reign of fear, panic and terror.

Professor Abul Hasnat Md Shamim further said the protest rally was organised to protect the country's independence and sovereignty and to keep its democratic progress going.

He said the University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) has long protested against the injustices and irregularities of the fascist government. Enduring imprisonment and oppression, the organisation united the teaching community and protested against the government's conspiracies and terrorism. The teaching community must likewise protest against the conspiracies of those who fled, he commented.

The rally was attended by the university's pro-vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam, dean of the Business Studies faculty and provost of July-6 Hall Professor Dr Md Kamruzzaman, director of the student adviser's office Professor Dr Md Rashidul Haq, director of the physical education department Professor Dr Enamul Haq, and teachers from various departments.