Jahangir Nagar University, the only fully-fledged residential university stresses its campus on
the beautiful lap of nature decorated with lakes, green foliage of trees and little hills and with
seasonal guest birds. The pupils prefer this university not only for its anodyne beauty but also
because of its standing at a reasonable distance from the din and bustle of the city but regular
transport connection has made many facilities of city available to the campus insiders. The most
significant feature is its residential facility which also attracts peoples’ attention. I had been the
student of this beautiful campus. It has now plunged into a deep crisis as a group of teachers
continued demonstrations to press for resignation of VC Professor Anwar Hossain , hemming
him in his office for two days. The teachers went on the two-day strike on the campus apparently
in defiance of a High Court order not to obstruct administrative activities.The agitating teachers under the banner of ‘ Sadharan Shikkhak Forum’ also called all-out strike
for August 24,25,26 while the existing confinement of the VC will continue. The request of the
Education Minister has just made them stop this demonstration for two weeks. 370 teachers
singed on statement leveling charges against VC. The charges include– no trial of the assault
on teachers, freedom fighters quota violation, recruitment of incompetent people as teachers,
harsh comments against teachers to the media , no steps regarding the violence that took place on
August on 01, and February 12. ruining the campus environment , misusing the university funds,
forcibly entering VC’s office by ignoring the demonstration of teachers. Are these teachers not
aware of the fact that VC has virtually nothing to do with the care students and if they belong to
government party? Not only VCs but also the teachers of our public universities have lost that
stature of moral and academic power many years back. Teachers are recruited on the basis of
party leaning who run after administrative post giving salute to academic activities and research.
When a clash of interest arises, they go for demonstration at the cost of students’ valuable
VC Anwar Hossain has reiterated that he will not resign from his post. He says ‘ I sought the
chancellor’s intervention in the incident. I am the elected VC and president has appointed me. If
he wants, I will resign.” When teachers don’t want you, how can you expect to remain in the post
sounds very illogical? The agitating teachers ‘ platform said, “Our allegations are logical and for
the welfare of the university we are continuing our demonstration. We will stay here until the
VC resigns.” Whatever logical their demands are it looks very odd to see that the teachers are
hemming the VC outside his office just like cadre students? You have not set any good example
before the students and nation. Neither your intentions proves honest. The honest duty of the
teachers is to conduct classes, research and other academic activities. You have virtually lost
the right to give any advice to the students and nation. I cannot believe myself that the teachers
are staying outside the office of the VC just like the cadre students who try to keep their rooms
illegally occupied for their party activities and the opponent are not allowed there . The print
and electronic media frequently show this nasty picture. Necessarily the question arises, don’t
the teachers who have been obstructing the VC from going outside the office have the classes
and other duties? What will they gain if the VC resigns? The examples they have set before
the students and nation retain a very grim and frustrating sign. You played the same game with
Professor Sharif Enamul. You are playing the game again with Professor Anwar. Who will
come to grace the chair of VC? You all have vitiated the honour of the chair. Now, nobody will
feel easy to occupy that chair. You or your group will continue playing the same game with the
incumbent VC as you all are involved in direct politics. Your game does not hold the right to kill
the academic years of the students.
Professor Anwar Hossain of Dhaka University was appointed as Jahangir Nagar University
VC on May 20, 2012 following the resignation of VC Professor Sharif Enamul Kbair in the
face of strong student-teacher movement over the killing of BCL leader Jubaier. This memory
is still fresh in our minds. We hoped that the volatile situation will improve and the university
witnesses sound academic atmosphere but our hope proves reverse. Anwar has been staying in
his office and having home-made foods. A physician has been kept all time for his health checkup. How odd it looks! VC demanded that the government set up a judicial probe team to find out
whether the teachers are justified in demanding his resignation.
Because of teachers movement, students of twenty departments have been forced to face
prolonged academic session by six months to a year. There are six hundred teachers in the
university and among them about four hundred have directly given statement against the VC.
“Only AL-supported five, left leaning twelve supporter of the VC are standing beside him.”
says Samsul Alam, professor- government and politics department, in this article in the Prothom
Alo on August 24 titled “ VC’s resignation is the only solution” He has also highlighted that
Show-manship ‘ mentality of the VC spent a lot of money in the unproductive sector and spent
much money on campus beautification. The writer says that it does not promote education and
research. Actually, VC’s campus beautification program does not call for criticism. Definitely it
As a result, of frequent unrest and demonstrations, the JU students have been greatly suffered
by the curse of serious session jam. The agitating teachers’ narrow individual interest and battle
for power are the reasons behind dodging their classes and occupying the battle ground in the
peaceful campus. University teachers should not nakedly indulge themselves in narrow politics
of power and privileges. Situation is getting worse day by day. Students must not be made
hostage by the teachers to realize any demand. The university remains in the grip of government
party cadre students all the year round at the cost of general students’ academic year loss. They
general students are to live in the university campuses just like the deer that live in the Sunderbans
always in fear of the tigers. Now, another point has added to it. Teachers’ demonstration,
teachers’ movement and confronation. Where the general students go? Who will save the
university? Are they government cadres or the teachers? When the teachers play the same role,
where shall we place our trust?
We urge the present government and the future government not to interfere in the educational
institutions ranging from the primary to the university level. Your interference actually gives you
nothing. May be a temporary gain but its loss is several time greater than the gain.
