Power, water return to BSMRSTU halls; protest continues

The power and water connections were restored at the dormitories of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) last night, two days after the authorities disconnected the lines to quell the ongoing students protest.

However, the dining facilities at all the six dormitories of the university still remain shut, causing immense sufferings to the resident students, who have been continuing the movement despite the 15-day vacation declared by the university on the occasion of Durga puja.  

Defying the rain, the agitating students have been continuing their protest for the sixth consecutive day today demanding resignation of the vice chancellor for his alleged involvement in corruption and irregularities.

Some students have also been observing an indefinite hunger strike since September 19 to press home the same demand.

Mahmud Hasan, a third-year law student said they will continue their protest until the “corrupt and autocrat” VC Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin step down from his post.

Meanwhile, the protesting students will hold a press conference later in the day afternoon to brief the overall situation of their movement.

However, VC Prof Nasir denied all the allegations against him when The Daily Star reached him over phone on Sunday evening.

On Saturday, “Hired goons of VC Prof Nasiruddin” attacked students who were on their way to campus to join the protest programme which started on September 18. At least 20 students including three journalists were injured in the attacks.

Protesting the attacks on students, an assistant proctor resigned from his post.

The authorities suddenly declared the vacation ahead of Durga Puja on Saturday and asked the students to vacate dormitories by 10:00am. But the students are continuing the protest on the campus defying the order.

On September 21, the university authorities severed power and water connections to the dormitories and shut the dining halls to quell their movement triggering immense sufferings to its residents.

Why are the students protesting?

Several thousand students have been demonstrating for the VC’s removal, bringing allegations against him of sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and other employees, and corruption in development projects, including the construction of the Shaheed Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural on the campus. 

The demonstrators said the university authorities suspended students and served show-cause notice to those teachers whose speeches or statements go against them.

Fatema Tuz Zinia, a second-year student of law department and a campus reporter of The Daily Sun, was a victim of suspension for a Facebook post.

Amid countrywide protests, university authorities withdrew the suspension order on September 18.