Fifty two teachers have stepped down from their administrative post at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) on Monday (Oct 8) in protest against alleged assault on their colleagues by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders.
Failing to get justice after filing complaints of being humiliated by activists of the ruling Awami League’s student wing, two members of the regent board, four deans, four provosts, 14 departmental chairmen, house tutors of all the residential halls and all assistant proctors stepped down on Monday (Oct 8).
According to the MBSTU Teacher’s Association, the results for the second semester of the second year of the Physics Department were published on Saturday (Oct 6).
A student could not pass the semester as her cgpa was 1.98 out of 4 but BCL activists accompanied her to the examination hall and insisted she be allowed to sit for the Quantum Mechanics exam on Sunday (Oct 7).
Department Chairman Dr Anwar Hossain and Lecturer Mahiuddin Tasnim tried to stop her as she did not have permission to sit for the exam.
MBSTU BCL unit President Shajib Talukder Sajeeb and his associates used swear words and attempted to beat up the teacher when they protested after the BCL leaders forcefully put the student in the exam centre.
They remained in the exam hall for the duration of the exam and called a rally demanding for a change in the ordinance.
The same day, at 4 pm the teacher’s association called for the punishment of four BCL leaders and filed two complaints with the Vice Chancellor regarding the incident.
The Vice Chancellor met with the BCL leaders and the teachers in his office at 7 pm but the BCL leaders left in the middle of the meeting and rallied for the change in ordinance.
After the rally ended, the teachers collectively announced that they would be stepping down from their office.