Students from all batches of the Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Dhaka have demanded the reinstatement of former chairman Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, who was relieved of his academic and administrative duties following allegations of admitting a Chhatra League leader into the Professional Master’s program without an entrance exam. The students have announced a boycott of all academic activities, including classes and exams, if their demand is not met. On Sunday (February 9) afternoon, students met with the Vice-Chancellor to submit their demand for the chairman’s reinstatement. During the meeting, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Saima Haque Bidisha and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed Khan were present. Earlier, Associate Professor Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed, the university’s Proctor, met with student representatives.
Students collected signatures from over 200 students from five ongoing batches and the Professional Master’s batch in support of their demand. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the students gathered in front of the university’s administrative building at around 11:30 AM. Later, at around 1:00 PM, a seven-member delegation of students met with the Vice-Chancellor and demanded the reinstatement of Dr. Jahangir Alam. The Vice-Chancellor assured them that the matter would be resolved, leading the students to temporarily suspend their protest. Previously, on Thursday (February 5), the university administration relieved Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam from his duties as Chairman of the Japanese Studies Department. A notice signed by the university’s Acting Registrar, Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed, stated that an investigation committee had been formed in response to complaints from students participating in the department’s anti-discrimination movement regarding admissions without entrance exams. During the investigation, Dr. Jahangir Alam was instructed to refrain from all academic and administrative activities at the university effective February 5.
Following this decision, students from all batches of the department announced a boycott of classes and exams. They claim that no one knows who filed the complaints against Dr. Jahangir Alam and that the allegations are baseless. The students further alleged that the accusations were made for personal gains. In a written statement to the Vice-Chancellor, students declared that Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam had been unfairly and forcibly removed from his position. They unanimously rejected this decision and stated that they would continue boycotting all classes and exams until he was reinstated. Md. Rahat Rezwan Rudro from the 2020-21 session said, “We made it clear to the Vice-Chancellor that all students of the department want Dr. Jahangir Alam to remain as Chairman. The Vice-Chancellor assured us that the matter would be resolved by Sunday at the latest.” Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan stated, “Since the students have no complaints, there is no obstacle to reinstating him in academic activities. We will thoroughly examine the matter and ensure a proper resolution within a week.”
Source: Dhaka Post
