CU Chhatra Dal walks out of talks, demands VC’s resignation

Chittagong University (CU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) boycotted a meeting with the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellors, alleging failure to provide satisfactory answers regarding recruitment irregularities and nepotism, despite the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum.

The meeting began at 2:30pm at the vice-chancellor’s conference room but was abandoned midway when Chhatra Dal leaders walked out in protest.

According to JCD sources, the delegation sat for talks with the administration after their ultimatum demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellors over alleged nepotism and irregularities.

During the discussion, they raised issues including politicisation of administration, accommodation crisis, transparency in recruitment, disclosure of recruitment information, irregularities in previous appointments, covert attacks, and the Cucsu issue.

CU JCD General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman told the vice-chancellor, “If you cannot answer these questions, then resign with dignity. If you step down, we will salute you.”

Speaking to reporters later, Noman said, “We see no difference between the current vice-chancellor’s actions and those during the tenure of the former vice-chancellor.”

Responding to the allegations, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter said, “I have no prior knowledge of whether a pro-vice-chancellor’s daughter or a relative of the registrar is being appointed. Every recruitment follows specific internal rules and procedures, and those rules are followed during interviews.”

On the appointment of the registrar’s relative as a principal, he said, “We did not know that he was the registrar’s brother. Besides being academically qualified in English, he has experience serving as a principal both at home and abroad.”

Allegations surfaced following the approval of 153 appointments, including teachers, officers, and staff at CU’s 565th syndicate meeting on January 9. However, the administration claims 113 appointments were approved and that a total of 321 people have been recruited over the past one and a half years.