A group of Jagannath University students on Thursday staged a demonstration and burnt effigy of the university registrar demanding his immediate resignation following allegations of student harassment and administrative negligence.
The students alleged that the registrar, Sheikh Gias Uddin, behaved in an aggressive manner when they went to him to file a complaint over repeated bicycle theft incidents on the campus premises.
They also announced a 24-hour ultimatum for the registrar鈥檚 resignation.
The demonstration began at about 1:30pm at the university鈥檚 Shaheed Minar and after marching through Kathaltala and the science faculty ended in front of the vice-chancellor鈥檚 office with burning an effigy of the registrar.
Kishour Samyo, a fourth-year student, criticised the registrar鈥檚 way in dealing with the students branding him as a colonial ruler.
鈥楴o university official has the right to say 鈥楪et out, we鈥檙e not responsible for your safety,鈥� he said, adding that that kind of behaviour is not acceptable in a public institution.
Ivan Tahseeb, president of the Student Front said, 鈥楢fter repeated bicycle thefts near Shahid Sajid Academic Building, we went to file a formal complaint, but the registrar asked us to get out of his office, claiming student safety was not his concern.鈥�
AKM Rakib, president of the Student Rights Council, issued an ultimatum saying, 鈥榃e demand the registrar鈥檚 resignation within the next 24 hours.鈥�
Several student organisations, cultural groups and university journalists joined the protest calling for accountability, a public apology and immediate administrative reforms.
鈥業 am aware of the matter,鈥� JnU vice-chancellor Rezaul Karim said, emphasising that it is a responsibility for the administration to ensure student safety.
鈥榃e will take necessary action,鈥� said Rezaul.
The registrar could not be reached聽 for comments despite repeated attempts over the phone.
