RU Shibir forms human chain to protest campus shutdown

Islami Chhatra Shibir formed a human chain at Rajshahi University (RU) on Wednesday to protest the complete shutdown - enforced by a section of teachers, officers, and employees for reinstating the controversial ward quota in admission and demanding 'justice for humiliation' of the Pro-VC, teachers, and officials.

The demonstration took place in front of the central library at around 11:30 am, where leaders and activists of the Shibir RU unit gathered with placards.

Speaking at the protest, Shibir RU unit secretary Mujahid Faisal said the ongoing shutdown is entirely illogical. It is designed not only to destroy the academic atmosphere, but also to thwart the student body elections.

"The issue of ward quota was resolved long ago, yet it has suddenly been revived to confuse students. At the same time, one student organisation, with support from its mother party, is trying to use this issue as a pretext to delay the long-awaited RUCSU elections," he added.

Shibir RU unit president Mustakur Rahman Zahid said, "A vested quarter is deliberately bringing back the settled quota issue to create conflict between the student and the teaching-administrative communities. Their only goal is to derail the RUCSU polls. A section of teachers, under political banners, is destabilising the university. Their provocative statements are making the officers and employees hostile towards students."

He also added that the shutdown programme is nothing but blackmail. "They want to convince the students that unless we accept their ward quota demand, no classes, exams, library access, or even the RUCSU polls will resume. One student organisation is also conspiring to postpone the election under various excuses."

Meanwhile, RU teachers and officers began gathering at the Shaheed Buddhijibi Chattar from early Wednesday. Failing to reach a resolution in talks with the administration the day before, they pledged to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Professor Amirul Islam, general secretary of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum, said, "We cannot accept the students humiliating the university's second-highest official. Some so-called student activists had even confined our colleagues before. Yet we received no assurances from the administration. We will continue our programme until our demands are addressed."

RU Officers' Association president Moktar Hossain said, "On Tuesday, both the Pro-VCs sat with us, but gave no decision. Today we will again meet with (our colleagues of) various departments. Our shutdown remains in place, and we will finalise the next programme in consultation with all stakeholders."

Wednesday marked the fourth consecutive day of a full-day work abstention by teachers and administrative staff members, who are demanding justice for the reported humiliation of the Pro-VC and other teachers and officials along with reinstatement of the institutional benefits (ward quota). The standoff has left the university paralyzed, with no classes, exams, or administrative activities taking place. Students remain uncertain about the fate of their academic calendar, as both the sides remain adamant.

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