The agitating students of Dhaka University (DU), under different banners, could not meet its Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Akhtaruzzaman despite waiting for nearly five and a half hours in front of his office on Monday.
Over one hundred demonstrating students under the panels of Bangladesh General Students Rights Protection Council (Quota reformists' movement), Progotishil Chhatra Jote, Shatantra Jote, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation and Swadhikar Shatantro Jote observed a sat-in in front of the VC's office.
They waited there from around 12:30 pm to around 6:00 pm with various demands that include holding fresh DUCSU polls through announcing new election schedule, ensuring punishment to the attackers on students, and resignation of the VC.
They also asked for ensuring a favourable atmosphere for education as well as peaceful co-existence of all students on the campus, and withdrawal of all false cases against students.
The students expected that the VC would meet them and listen to their demands.
But the university officials said the VC could not talk to the students due to his health condition.
The agitating students said they would announce fresh programmes later on.
Rashed Khan, general secretary (GS) candidate in the DUCSU election from Bangladesh General Students Rights Council, said, "The DU administration has made the students frustrated through holding an unfair election."
He said the DU administration has tarnished the glorious image of the university.
Aroni Semonti Khan, an independent vice-president candidate in the DUCSU election, said, "We are very much frustrated. It is very shameful. Those who are in the DU administration are like our teachers and guardians."
"They (DU administration) were supposed to talk to us (students). But what are the reasons of their fear and what are they hiding (from us)?"
She said there are evidences that the DUCSU election was not fair and impartial.
Ummey Habiba Benojir, GS candidate from Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, A R M Asifur Rahman, GS candidate from Shadhikar Shotontro Jote, and Pragatisheel Chhatra Jote leaders were also present.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com