RU teachers demand removal of VC, admin

Teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) demanded immediate implementation of recent government orders and prompt removal of the current university administration for corruption and irregularities that were proved in a UGC probe.

Around 70 teachers under the anti-corruption teachers' faction of Progressive Teachers' Alliance formed a human chain in front of the university senate building with this demand. They were seen with black flags as a symbolic rejection of the Vice Chancellor Professor M Abdus Sobhan and other administration officials.

Speaking at the programme, Sultan Ul Islam of geology and mining department said, "The UGC probe found evidence of the VC's corruption after we brought allegations against the administration. Following the probe report, the Education Ministry sent some 12 different orders to implement, including registrar's removal. But the VC did not take any action yet. This has proved his moral turpitude. But he is still performing duty as VC. So we want his removal as well as other officials."

Prof Akram Ullah of political science said, "The VC did not step down yet and he is still violating government's order. So we are displaying black flag as a symbol of our refusal and condemnation of this administration. We demand the government to remove him."

During the demonstration, a group of people had snatched the protesting teachers' speaker around 10:30am. Prof Shafiqunnabee Samadi of Bangla department said, some outsiders that are following the administration's orders tried to hamper the peaceful demonstration. "We will go for tougher movement if this continues," he said.

On December 13, the government in an order directed the VC to take necessary steps to relieve Registrar Prof MA Bari from his post for not properly assisting the UGC committee in probing allegations of irregularities at the university. The VC was also asked to deposit Tk 5.61 lakh as rent into the public exchequer, as he occupied a duplex of the university showing various excuses.

The ministry also asked the VC to explain within seven working days why the appointments of his daughter and son-in-law to the university as teachers should not be cancelled.

The education ministry issued separate orders asking Pro-VC Prof Choudhury M Zakaria, the registrar MA Bari, three teachers and a deputy registrar to explain within seven working days why legal action should not be taken against them for relaxing the required educational qualifications for recruitment to the university.

Earlier in an investigation, the UGC found evidence of 25 kinds of irregularities and corruption committed by top members of the university administration.