End campus politics: Vice-chancellors

Vice chancellors (VC) of several universities have demanded an end to campus politics by teachers and students of public universities. They made the suggestion at a recent meeting of University Council, a forum of the VCs, following the death of two students in sequels to political rivalry. The meeting was held at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University. Council chief Prof Md Ruhul Amin, also Vice-Chancellor of Haji Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, said they would decide the matter following discussion in its next meeting to be held late this month. Bangladesh Agriculture University Vice-Chancellor Md. Rafiqul Hoque said: “We’re being mutilated by the sick politics. Let this sick political trend stop at least for the time being.” Quoting Rafiqul, a media release of the council said: “Some teachers of universities are provoking repeated untoward incidents by students to undermine the development achieved by the present government.” It said the VCs have agreed to a proposal that asked the council to play a firm role to end campus politics. Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader of Mymensingh Agriculture University unit Saad Ibne Mamtaz was killed on April 1 in an attack allegedly by political rivals. Barely two days later, Rajshahi University unit BCL leader Rustom Ali Akand was shot dead in his room in a residential hall, according to bdnews24.com.