BAU syndicate meeting cancelled, notice closing halls remains in force

A previously announced Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) syndicate meeting has not been held. As a result, the notice closing the university’s residential halls remains closed and the responsibility of enforcing it remains with the local administration.

BAU Student Affairs Advisor Prof Muhammad Shahidul Haque made the remarks during a discussion at the Student Affairs Adviser’s Office on Wednesday evening.

During the talks, Assistant Proctor Prof Shonia Sheheli said: "The vice-chancellor asked the students for a written document to present at a syndicate meeting on reopening the halls. There will be a written document, signed by all students and teachers, noting the decisions made in the five-hour meeting on Tuesday.

“It will be presented at the syndicate meeting. However, even though we talked to the students repeatedly about this, they did not agree to it. That is why the syndicate meeting is not being held.”

Ehsanul Haque Himel, one of the leaders of the protest, said: "The sirs spoke to us about this. All those who were present at the meeting yesterday signed, so why this talk of signing again? So, we did not agree with their statement.

“We will hold discussions with everyone and then announce what action will be taken or what programme will be held.”

Students from the BAU Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry had been holding protests to push for a list of demands, including a unified degree for the two faculties.

After a syndicate meeting failed to meet their demands, the protesters trapped a group of 200 teachers and academic staff inside a building on campus for several hours. Eventually, a large group attacked the students and freed those trapped inside.

Following the attack, BAU students launched a new programme to push for a six-point list of demands, which now included an apology from the vice-chancellor and the arrest of the attackers.

On Tuesday, the protesters blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh railway line. Later, a section of protesting students locked a bank branch and the Treasury building on campus.

Under the circumstances, the university administration held unconditional talks with a 40-member delegation of protesting students at 7pm on Tuesday.

At the end of the meeting, the students announced that they would withdraw their protests, following assurances that the order to leave the residential halls would be scrapped and classes and exams would start within a week.