Deadlock Persists at Rajshahi University on Second Day as Students Flee Campus Amid Protests

The impasse at Rajshahi University (RU) shows no signs of resolution on the second day, with teachers, officials, and staff continuing their indefinite shutdown program demanding punishment for those involved in harassing faculty and administrators over the dependent quota issue. The Nationalist Teachers' Forum has declared classes and exams suspended indefinitely, prompting most students to leave the campus and head home.

The shutdown began at 9:00 AM on Tuesday (23 September). As part of the program, officials and staff staged a sit-in on the west side of the administration building, seating themselves on chairs. While locks hang on most offices in the administration building, a few remain open. Around 10:00 AM, a visit to the university's Vijay-24 Hall revealed that many had come to their offices and were carrying out daily tasks. Additionally, observations at the transport market, Tukitaki Square, and various other spots showed a few students arriving on campus.

Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain from the Fisheries Department was observed participating in the sit-in protest in front of the Intellectuals' Square. He said, "On the 20th, a few students physically and mentally humiliated our university's pro-vice-chancellor, proctor, deputy registrars, and many others. This is utterly unacceptable. Not just us, but teachers across Bangladesh are stunned. We will continue our program until a fair trial is ensured."

At the time, Deputy Registrar Abu Md. Tarek from the Academic Branch stated, "Our demand is clear: our pro-vice-chancellor has been humiliated. Our program will continue until a proper resolution is reached. We will not return to work under any circumstances."

Prior to this, the campus was abuzz with festivities over the RU Students' Union (RUSU) election until Thursday afternoon. Candidates were busy campaigning with various strategies. However, that evening, the university administration reinstated the previously canceled dependent quota with 10 conditions. Following this, students began protesting against the reinstatement of the dependent quota. During the movement, on Saturday afternoon, an incident of scuffles and physical altercations occurred between students and teachers-officials at the university's Zuberi Building. Subsequently, on Sunday, teachers and officials announced a one-day full shutdown demanding exemplary punishment for the harassers and reinstatement of the dependent quota. From yesterday, they have been observing an indefinite shutdown.

On the night of 21 September, after a meeting at the university's Zuberi Building, Nationalist Teachers' Forum President Professor Abdul Alim announced the indefinite shutdown. The Officers' Association held a press conference declaring an indefinite 'complete shutdown'. Later that night, the Nationalist Teachers issued a press release stating that classes and exams would remain suspended indefinitely.

In this situation, yesterday at 5:00 PM, the RUSU Election Commissioner held an emergency meeting and postponed the election date. The voting has now been scheduled for 16 October next month.