A new platform was formed on Wednesday comprising teachers, officers
and employees of Jahangirnagar University (JU) to strengthen the
ongoing movement demanding the removal of Vice-chancellor Prof Dr
Anwar Hossain. The new platform, ‘Teachers, Students, Officers and
Workers Unity Forum’, was formed at a joint meeting of JU Teachers’
Association (JUTA), JU Officers’ Samity and JU Workers’ Union on the
university campus. Announcing the platform after the meeting, Prof
Kamrul Ahsan, member secretary of ‘Sadharan Sikkhak Forum’ which has
been on a movement to realize the demand since April, said they
decided to go on a non-cooperation movement against the VC. JUTA
president Prof Ajit Kumar Majumdar has been selected as the chief
coordinator of unity forum while convener of the Sadharon Shikkhak
Froum Prof Hanif Ali as the coordinator and Prof Kamrul Ahsan as the
member secretary. Speaking on the occasion, the forum’s leaders
urged all not to cooperate JU VC Prof Anwar. At about 5:30pm, four
employees working at the official residence of the VC were forced to
leave his residence. Earlier, the agitating teachers, officers and
employees held a rally and formed a human chain in front of the VC
residence. On the other hand, around 250 students, backed by JU unit
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), held a rally demanding congenial
academic atmosphere on the campus. Contacted, JU VC Prof Anawar
said, “I won’t sit in dialogue with the agitating teachers until they
withdraw stop their all movements.” He also threatened to take steps
against the agitating teachers as per the university rules. No
classes and examinations were held on Wednesday as JUTA have continued
their all-out strike for the fifth consecutive days. Since April 27,
the members of JUTA have been on a movement demanding the resignation
of Prof Anwar Hossain for his reluctance to punish JU unit Bangladesh
Chhatra League secretary Rajib Ahmed Russell who physically assaulted
a teacher. After a High Court order on May 24, JUTA backtracked, but
later they resumed agitation under a new banner. No Syndicate,
Senate, Academic Council and other important meetings have not being
held for last six months due to the teachers’ agitation. – UNB
