Protest over Dean Appointment
Students force JnU teacher to leave campus
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Students of Jagannath University (JnU) have forced Professor Ainul Islam to leave the campus, accusing him of supporting the Awami League government during the July uprising and taking controversial political roles.
His appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences sparked a strong backlash across the campus. Students expressed outrage, claiming the appointment conflicts with the spirit of the July uprising.
Today (Thursday) at noon, students evicted him from his office in the university's Economics Department. Members of the Proctorial body, the Jagannath University branch of Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shakti, and students from various departments were present at the time.
He was scheduled to attend the orientation of the Professional Programme of the Public Administration Department tomorrow (Friday). Prior to this, students had learned that he was involved in various activities of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
He was appointed through a notification signed by the acting registrar, Professor Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, on July 7.
Professor Ainul Islam has served as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Economic Association. He has also served as President of the Jagannath University Teachers' Association and President of Neel Dal.
During the July uprising, he served as acting registrar of Jagannath University and was forced to resign on August 11 under student pressure.
Students allege that during the July 2024 uprising, when law enforcement agencies were conducting crackdowns across the country to suppress the student-public movement, Ainul Islam participated in multiple meetings at Ganabhaban on August 3 with representatives of several pro-Awami teacher organisations.
Nur Mohammad, Health and Environment Secretary of Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JKSUR), said, "Students no longer want to see any teacher on campus who took a stand against them during the July uprising. However, the main culprits must be brought to justice, and innocent teachers should not be framed with false accusations."
Ferdous Sheikh, Chief Organiser of the Jagannath University branch of National Chhatra Shakti, said, "How did a teacher opposed to the July movement get appointed as Dean of the university? Despite repeated demands for justice, instead of addressing it, he has been rewarded. So we have decided that we will not let him stay on campus. He was asked to leave earlier as well, but he did not go."
