Prof Anwar Hossain, the Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, has remained confined to his office for the second consecutive day due to a gherao by a faction of the university teachers, who has been demanding his resignation.
Amid an ongoing strike by the agitating Teachers Forum, no classes and examinations could be held in the campus for the last two days.
After the gherao in the VC’s office on Wednesday morning, the demonstrating teachers held a press conference and said they would not stop until their demands were met.
Prof Abdul Hanif, President of the Teachers Forum, said: “The VC has the solution of the problem. We’ll lift our blockade if he resigns or promises to do that.”
On the other hand, Anwar Hossain told journalists that he had sent a fax to the university Chancellor (the President) updating him of the latest situation there. “I hope he will take action as soon as possible,” he said.
Prof Anwar had to pass the night in his office due to the gherao.
But he was allowed to have homemade food and a physician came in the morning for a health check-up.
The protesters say they have not stopped anyone from communicating with the VC over ‘humanitarian issues.’
Pro-VCs MA Matin and Afsar Ahmed are also in the building, having vowed to return home only after taking the VC with them.
Earlier, in the morning the health check up was conducted by university medical officer Dr Biren Kunar Biswas.
“His health is stable despite high blood pressure and diabetics,” he said.
Prof Anwar on Wednesday sent a letter to the President seeking his intervention to resolve the crisis.
He was given the VC’s responsibility last year after Prof Sharif Enamul Kabir resigned from the post following demonstration by teachers and students of the university.
Some teachers started demanding his resignation few months after he took charge, including those close to the previous VC. – bdnews24.com
