A campus strike, called by a section of teachers and students demanding the removal of vice-chancellor Prof Dr Farzana Islam, has almost paralysed the administrative and academic activities of Jahangirnagar University (JU). Most of the departments could not hold classes and exams, even the weekend courses on Friday and Saturday were postponed due to the strike.
Prof Rayhan Rhyne of Philosophy department, one of the spokespersons of the movement, said, ‘We will continue our movement until Prof Farzana’s removal.’ Accusing her of being involved in financial scandal, protesters said that they are not accepting Prof Farzana Islam as VC. Therefore, they will not allow the VC to do any administrative work.
They blocked two administrative buildings so that the VC and officials cannot enter there to perform daily activities. They have announced that they will continue the movement till the demand is met. The protesters under the platform ‘Jahangirnagar Against Corruption’ are carrying out an all-out strike on the campus, blocking both the new and old administrative buildings and different academic buildings from dawn to dusk.
On the other hand, Professor Bashir Ahmed, general secretary of VC backed teacher’ organization ‘Bangabandhu Shikkhak Parishad’ said, ‘The allegations brought against the VC is baseless and fabricated. Though the protesters are making obstacle to take class, we tried to keep the class and exam going. We also want a systematic investigation. If the movement continues in this way, no solution will be reached. This is hurting the general students of the university. Students want to participate in classes and exams but they are disrupting because of the strike.
Meanwhile, JU teachers' association demanded the intervention of the university's Chancellor President Abdul Hamid to overcome the problem. They said, the executive council of the teachers' association formed a three-member committee on October 28 to resolve the ongoing crisis at the university.
The committee held a discussions with the protesters, VC backed teachers and Vice-Chancellor. All parties agreed on Chancellor’s intervention to resolve the crisis. As a result, the teachers' association decided to apply to Chancellor for the overall development of the university’s condition.
According to the findings, classes and exams of different departments of the university is closed due to this ongoing movement. Since 28 October, the protesters called for strike and took position in front of different academic buildings. As a result, the students have been worried about the long session jam. They demanded a way out of such a situation.
Sohel Shah, a third year student of English Department said, ‘At first we are student. It is our democratic right to attend classes. We are not sure whether the ongoing movement is logical or illogical. We want to attend our classes and exams regularly. If any student want to attend any class no protesters have right to prevent him from his academic activities. We, the general students are demanding a peaceful solution of this crisis as soon as possible.’
