Amid rising political tensions at Rajshahi University (RU), faculty members met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqeeb on Monday to seek assurances regarding their personal safety and to request a suspension of new faculty appointments. The meeting took place at the university’s administrative building and was attended predominantly by BNP-aligned teaching staff.
Representatives from the University Teachers’ Association of Bangladesh (UTAB), the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, and the Zia Parishad participated in the discussions. Professor Abdul Alim, president of the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, alleged that “a specific student group has been intimidating and harassing teachers, officials, and staff. They have even locked offices and applied undue pressure. Such actions are not the responsibility of students.”
In contrast, the university’s branch of the Chhatra Dal described the behaviour of RU Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar as unbefitting a student and categorised it as an act of intimidation and unlawful conduct. The organisation called for legal measures to curb aggressive and inappropriate behaviour towards faculty members.
Six Deans Submit Resignations
Recently, the Vice-Chancellor accepted the resignations of six deans affiliated with the pro-Awami League panel. These deans are listed below:
| Faculty | Dean | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Abu Naser Md. Wahid | Resigned |
| Science | Dr. Nasima Akhter | Resigned |
| Business Studies | Prof. A S M Kamruzzaman | Resigned |
| Social Sciences | Prof. S M Ekram Ullah | Resigned |
| Engineering | Bimal Kumar Pramanik | Resigned |
| Geology | A H M Selim Reza | Resigned |
Although the tenure of these deans officially ended following the December 17, 2023, dean elections, the Vice-Chancellor had instructed them to remain in office until new elections were held on 11 December. Their resignation came in response to student demands, with RAKSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar issuing an ultimatum and publicly presenting resignation letters in the presence of media personnel. Subsequently, a group of students locked several administrative offices as part of the protest.
Interim Administration Arrangements
Following the removal of the six deans, the Vice-Chancellor and two Pro-Vice-Chancellors have assumed routine responsibilities for the faculties as follows:
| Responsibility | Assigned Faculty Member |
|---|---|
| Science & Engineering | Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saleh Hasan Naqeeb |
| Business Studies & Law | Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Mohammad Main Uddin |
| Geology & Social Sciences | Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Farid Uddin Khan |
Both faculty and student organisations emphasised the urgent need for a safe and conducive academic environment. University authorities are actively working to defuse tensions and restore normalcy across the campus.