JU Proctor steps down amidst protest, Alamgir Kabir assumes temporary role

Following the incessant protest from teachers and students in the wake of a rape incident at the campus, Associate Professor A S M FirozUl Hasan has stepped down from his role as Proctor of Jahangirnagar University (JU). Dr. Mohammad Alamgir Kabir, a Statistics and Data Science professor, has been assigned the temporary proctor position. 

This information was confirmed by an office order signed by University Registrar Abu Hassan on Monday.

The office order announced the relief of Mr A S M FirozUl Hasan from his duties following his written resignation and the temporary appointment of Dr Mohammad Alamgir Kabir as Proctor, effective from the afternoon of March 18, 2024, until further notice. Dr. Kabir will continue to receive benefits as usual.

The 'Nipiron Birodhi Moncho', an anti-oppression platform established in JU on February 4 following a rape incident on campus, has been protesting for over a month. They are demanding the resignation of the Proctor and the Provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, citing negligence of duty regarding the incident.

After blockading the administrative building on March 10 for an indefinite duration, protesters ended the blockade on March 13 following assurances from the Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor pledged the protesters that if Proctor A S M FirozUl Hasan and Provost Prof. Dr Sabbir Alam did not resign voluntarily by March 17, they would be relieved of their duties by March 18.

Vice-Chancellor holds press conference to address current situation

Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Md. Nurul Alam addressed the current situation in a press conference held yesterday (Monday) at 12:30 pm in the council room of the new administrative building of the university. He urged all parties to seek solutions through dialogue without causing deadlock, emphasising the importance of maintaining the university's educational, research, and administrative activities.

The VC said about the incident of rape in the area adjacent to Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, "An emergency syndicate meeting was convened on February 4 after the incident. An investigation committee was established, which proposes suspending the accused, revoking their educational certificates, identifying the perpetrators, and bringing them to justice. The accused were handed over to the police, and legal action was initiated against them according to state law. "

"Later, based on the inquiry report's recommendations during the syndicate meeting on February 20, the students implicated in the incident were permanently expelled from the university, and their educational certificates were annulled."

The Vice-Chancellor announced measures to restore peace in the university's residence halls, including the prompt eviction of expired students. Students residing in halls not allocated to them are being identified, numbered, and directed to their designated halls. 

Additionally, students who have completed their studies or are irregular must vacate by April 17. Failure to comply will lead to the cancellation of their certificates and legal action, prosecuting them under state law.

"Only legitimate students will be permitted to stay in the residence halls. Any student, leader, activist, or follower of any socio-cultural or political organisation who is no longer a student must vacate the residence hall regardless of their status. The university administration will not grant any concessions in this matter," remarked the Vice-Chancellor.

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