CU witnesses fresh protest demanding resignation of proctorial body

The University of Chittagong (CU) once again witnessed protests today as leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal and Democratic Student Alliance, and students of philosophy department have been staging demonstrations.

The protesters were demanding resignation of the university's proctorial body, citing that the administration has completely failed to ensure student safety.

Earlier on August 31, students protested after two rounds of clashes with villagers that left at least 240 people injured. The violence was sparked by the alleged assault of a female student.

Today's demonstration began around 1:00pm in front of the university's administrative building, where protesting students and activists chanted slogans "Won't let our brothers' blood go in vain," "Injustice will be swept away by a flood of blood," "Our brothers are attacked while the administration carries on recruitment," and "One demand, only one -- proctor must resign."

The demonstrations ended around 2:30pm.

They said that despite repeated attacks on students by locals, the authorities have taken no effective measures. Instead, the administration carried on recruitment activities in the administrative building without arranging proper treatment for the injured.

The students warned that if the officials do not step down, their protests will intensify.

Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal also organised a symbolic "red card" protest against the CU administration.

Today's protest followed an incident when the nameplate on the administrative building was altered with graffiti, reading "Niyog banijjer jomidar bhaban (the landlord's house of recruitment trade)".

Two female students from the Philosophy Department alleged that Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Yahya Akhter and Registrar Prof Dr Saiful Islam yesterday threatened them when they attempted to take photos with the graffiti.

The officials reportedly photographed their ID cards and warned that their families would be summoned. In response, Philosophy Department students joined the demonstration.

CU Chhatra Dal leader Jalal Siddiqui said, "We want the resignation of this failed administration. They have failed to ensure students' safety and have made derogatory remarks about female students. Such a misogynistic administration has no place here. Protecting students is their responsibility, but instead of doing that, they carried on with recruitment. That is why we demand their resignation."

Dhruba Barua, convener of the Democratic Student Council, said, "For the last three days, we have been pressing our seven-point demands, one of which is the resignation of the proctorial body. Today, we also submitted a memorandum and organised a mass signature campaign, in which nearly a thousand students signed in support."

"The administration earlier asked if we had any supporters. Today's campaign is proof that we do. We told the vice chancellor that if the proctorial body does not resign within 24 hours, we will lock up the proctor's office and the administrative building," Barua said.

Hasib, a master's student of Philosophy Department, said, "Those who attacked one of our juniors are still roaming free, while the administration has failed to take any active steps. The culprits must be brought to justice immediately, otherwise the university administration must step down."