'A university can not be destroyed for a VC'

"A university can not be destroy for a vice-chancellor," Shajhan said while addressing a meeting of Kushtia district law and order committee, held at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Thursday. The minister presided over he meeting.

The minister assured the meeting that he would draw the Prime Minister's attention to the stalemate at the university. The PM is the also the Chancellor of the university.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The minister said VC Prof Mustafizur Rahman has failed to run the university and there are various allegations against him.

Earlier, local ruling party MP and secretary of Kushtia district BNP Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi briefed the meeting about the present situation at the University and drew the minister's attention.

Rumi said the Islamic University was a "dream of late President Ziaur Rahman for the people of this region".

"Its glory can not be destroyed by an anti-liberation element. While all including teachers and students of all political opinions are agitating for about three months for his removal, a particular section is backing him (VC) and creating anarchy at the University.

The ruling party lawmaker demanded immediate removal of the.

According to sources, another ruling party MP from the district is reportedly backing the VC to keep him in office.

Meanwhile, Kushtia district BNP in a statement yesterday demanded immediate removal the VC, terming him "corrupted and unfit to run the institution".

The statement was signed by Sahidul Islam MP, president of Kushtia district BNP and its secretary Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi MP.

They said, the VC "misappropriated" huge amounts of funds of the university and appointed a large number of teachers belonging to a particular quarter by violating UGC (University Grants Commission) rules.

The leaders demanded the VC's removal and release of Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists arrested on Monday from Shikhpara Bazar near the university campus during an agitation.

Eight JCD activists including two university students were arrested when they barricaded the Kushtia-Khulna highway demanding the VC's resignation.

On the other hand, Anchalik Chhatra Oikya Parishad (ACP) and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad (CAP), two bodies of IU students, at a press conference at Kushtia Reporters Unity office on Thursday declared that they would go on a hunger strike soon if the VC is not removed.

Classes are not held at the university since January 1 as teachers are also abstaining from classes for his removal.

The vice-chancellor left the campus on Tuesday, reportedly for Dhaka, sources said.

No university bus is plying as drivers denied to operate those fearing assault by agitating students.