Sylhet: A section of teachers backed by the BNP-supported 'White Panel' at Sylhet Agricultural University persisted in their sit-in protest for the fourth consecutive day, urging the removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Alimul Islam. The protesters have raised concerns over alleged irregularities, autocratic conduct, and corruption by the Vice-Chancellor.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the protest has seen participation from a segment of university officials alongside leaders and activists of the university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). The demonstrators have locked the main gate of the university's administrative building and conducted a human chain and sit-in demonstration outside it.
Earlier this week, 11 teachers and officials, including five professors, resigned from their administrative posts, citing grievances over irregularities and corruption against the Vice-Chancellor. The resigning group submitted a memorandum to the President, calling for the VC's removal.
Prof Mozammel Haque, the general secretary of the university teachers' association backed by the 'White Panel' and a former proctor, stated that the resignations were in protest against the VC's alleged misconduct. The officials who resigned included provosts of several residential halls and others in key administrative roles.
The resigning teachers and officials accused the administration of irregularities in development and construction works, procurement processes, and teacher recruitment since the current administration's tenure began. They asserted that their protests against these irregularities failed to prompt effective action, leading to their decision to step down.
They further alleged that development efforts at the university have largely stalled, with some projects not adhering to Public Procurement Rules (PPR). Concerns were also raised over the necessity and execution of certain works, particularly regarding tender procedures.
The protesters claimed that in several procurement cases, the lowest bidders were bypassed in favor of preferred individuals. Allegations of favoritism in teacher recruitment were also made, with claims that Sylhet Agricultural University graduates were given less priority in recent recruitments.
Prof Md Kawser Hossain, a resigning provost, remarked on the difficulty of maintaining an academic environment under the current administration, which led to their collective decision to resign from administrative duties.
However, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Alimul Islam has denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless. He stated that the resigning officials sought release from their posts as their terms had expired and expressed that their resignations would not affect the university significantly. He emphasized that only qualified candidates were appointed to teaching positions and that the appointments followed legal procedures, with the recruited individuals holding first-class academic records.
The Vice-Chancellor affirmed his commitment to remaining in office unless directed otherwise by the government, underlining that his appointment was a government decision.