JU protesters demand VC’s resignation

A faction of teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University has demanded resignation of Prof Farzana Islam, vice-chancellor of the university, for her role in corruption.

“You [Prof Farzana] have lost the moral authority to hold your post. We urge you to leave the office respectfully,” said Prof Raihan Rhyne of the university’s Philosophy department.

Prof Raihan, who is also the coordinator of “Jahangirnagar Against Corruption”, made the remark at a press briefing around 7:30pm yesterday.

The protesters also gave ultimatum to the VC saying she must resign before October 1.

They also declared her persona non grata during the upcoming admission test of 2019-20 session which was scheduled to be held between September 22 and October 1.

If the demands are not met within the timeframe, students and teachers would be forced to go on a tougher movement, said the protesters.

The press briefing was held at the New Arts Building after a meeting between the protesters and administration with the lone demand of forming a judicial enquiry committee over the allegations of corruption.

Meanwhile, VC Farzana said she would resign only if the higher authorities asked her to do so. Otherwise, she would continue performing her duties.

“I will perform my duties until getting any direction from the higher authorities,” she said.

She also denied the allegation of her involvement in corruption. She told the journalists that she informed the issue to the University Grants Commission and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

WHY ARE JU STUDENTS PROTESTING?

The agitated students of JU have been demonstrating on the campus since August 23 demanding the relocation of three male students’ dormitories which the authorities planned to construct near Rabindranath Hall, and judicial probe into the allegations of corruption and irregularities that took place before the approval of these mega projects.

The students and teachers also protested against the corruption of the authorities and unplanned development works which would endanger the biodiversity of the campus.