Teachers call for ensuring protesters’ safety

QUOTA REFORM MOVEMENT

Teachers of Dhaka University and Jagannath University on Monday urged their administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of demonstrators who took to the streets demanding reforms to quota system in government jobs.

At a views exchange programme, they also urged the authorities concerned to ensure stable and democratic environment at the educational institutes across the country.

Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, the platform of the protesting students, organaised the programme at Teacher Student Centre auditorium of Dhaka University.

Dhaka University teacher Tanjimuddin Khan said that ruling party’s student organaisation was always alienated from the general students and tried to establish a reign of fear. He also said that as the hall administration did not play any vigorous role to address students’ problem, the university authorities should install a complain box in front of vice-chancellor’s house so that the general students could express their complaints.

Tanjimuddin Khan further said that to ensure safety of general students and teachers, there was no alternative to joint efforts of teachers and students as the existence of Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad was very much important.

Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq, supernumerary professor of Bangla at Dhaka University, said there was no logical reason of police attack on general students’ justified movement and it was governments’ responsibility to resolve the age-old crisis.

Condemning the attack on DU VC’s residence, he also added that the situation was complicated after the university administration and police lodged at least five cases against unidentified protesters which triggered fear among general students.

Dhaka University teacher Fahmidul Huq warned that if any protesters were further harassed by law enforcers or the university administration, teacher would wage tougher movement as the protestors on April 12 postponed their movement on assurance from the prime minister that there would be no quota system in government jobs.

Lambasting the administration and the government, the mass communication and journalism department professor also urged the authorities not to smell conspiracy in all logical movements and try to understand people’s pulse.

Nurul Huq Nur, joint-convener of the platform, demanded punishment of the culprits who brandished weapons on the campus on the night of April 9, formation of special autonomous cell to ensure safety of students and teachers, installation of security post at the entrance of campus, administration had to play active role to ensure democratic practice of students on the campus. 

Dhaka University teacher Robayet Ferdous, Rashidul Hasan, MM Akash, Jagannath University’s expelled teacher Nasiruddin Ahmed also spoke among others. 

•  Courtesy: NewAge/May 01, 2018