Students pledge to keep BUET free from politics

The students have taken an oath to keep the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) free from all political and banned organisations.
However, BUET Vice-Chancellor Satya Prasad Majumder has stirred a debate by indicating the potential reintroduction of student politics within the institution if the teachers and students want.
Meanwhile, Chhatra League held a rally on Sunday, demanding bringing back student politics in the BUET.
At a press conference, BUET students said that they firmly believe in the spirit of the war of liberation and independence, and are strongly convinced of the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and building a science and technology-based golden Bangladesh. For this, it is necessary to keep the campus free from all kinds of politics, they said.
Talking to the media on Sunday afternoon, the VC said if you don't do politics, you won't get a sense of responsibility towards the country. "Everyone has the right to do politics," he said, calling upon the students to leave the agitation and attend the classes.
He also commented that the university administration will take a decision on the overall issue after receiving the investigation report.
Chhatra League held a rally at Shahid Minar. After that, the organisation's president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan entered the BUET openly with the leaders and activists around noon.
The two top leaders of the BCL offered tributes at BUET Shaheed Minar along with hundreds of leaders and activists. Later, they were seen leaving the campus quickly. At this time, different gates of the varsity were closed.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that the government will take action if there is evidence of turning BUET into a factory of militant politics in the name of stopping student politics.
The VC's statement has drawn mixed reactions, with some welcoming the possibility of political engagement while others remain cautious about the potential consequences.
Amidst the ongoing debate, the VC urged the students to prioritise their academic pursuits and participate in classes and examinations.
However, the question of student politics in BUET remains unresolved, with stakeholders divided on the matter.
Earlier, Chhatra League President Saddam gave an ultimatum to overturn the student politics ban. "We request the BUET authorities to allow resuming student politics on campus immediately. '
At that time, the Chhatra League activists also called for restoring the seat of its central committee member Imtiaz Rabbi.
BUET student Abrar Fahad was beaten to death on the night of October 6, 2019, at Sher-e-Bangla Hall by Chhatra League activists. After this incident, on November 16 of that year, the BUET administration issued a notification banning student politics on its campus.
BUET students have pledged to keep BUET free from all political and banned organisations. "We will not let Abrar Fahad Bhai's blood go in vain," said one of the students.
At the press conference, the students said that all the batch students agitating for a campus without student politics in BUET did not gather because of severe security concerns.
In all areas around the campus, there has been continuous miking since Saturday night, threatening phone calls to students, various rumors on social media, giving false tags to BUET students, posting pictures of students with their names, and all the propaganda that seriously disturbs their personal safety has been carried out.
In this situation, the BUET campus and surrounding areas have become unsafe for the BUET students.
The students said theywere not present on the campus on Sunday due to security reasons, but it does not mean that the students have withdrawn from their demand for a campus without student politics. This is the demand of all the students of all batches of the BUET, they added.
"We want to make it clear again that our position is not against any single student political organisation, but against the activities of all student politics and organisations in BUET campus," said a student.
Earlier, on the night of March 27, many people, including the central president and office secretary of the Chhatra League, entered the BUET campus with a large fleet. BUET student Imtiaz Rabbi played an important role in getting them into the campus.
Even after the ban on student politics, ordinary students see such activities as the beginning of new politics in BUET. In view of this, they started agitation questioning the university administration fearing resumption of political activities and insecurity in the campus. At that time, the agitating students gave an ultimatum to Imtiaz Rabbi demanding his permanent expulsion.
In view of this, last Friday night, under the direction of the BUET Vice-Chancellor, University Registrar Prof. Dr. Md. In the notice signed by Forkan Uddin, the seat of the accused student Imtiaz Hossain Rahim Rabbi Hall has been canceled in cooperation with the Chhatra League.

[email protected]