Worrying precedent in deans' removal in Rajshahi Univ
Twelve deans at the University of Rajshahi have resigned under pressure from student protests. Their decision came despite no formal criminal charges against them. The move follows a pattern of forced resignations since the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh.
The deans’ original tenure ended on December 18, but the vice-chancellor had extended their roles until replacements could be elected. This extension sparked accusations that the university was shielding faculty linked to the Awami League, further fueling unrest.
The crisis began when the vice-chancellor permitted the deans to stay on beyond their official term. Students, backed by leaders of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union, responded with protests. They demanded the removal of the deans, claiming the university was protecting political allies.
Six deans were quickly relieved of their duties amid the demonstrations. The remaining six then chose to resign, stating they wanted to preserve their dignity. Their departure was voluntary but driven by sustained pressure rather than proven misconduct.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser M. A. Karim since August 8, 2024, supported the expulsions. Authorities also authorised security forces to detain protesters and academics involved in the unrest. This response highlighted the government’s struggle to manage such incidents decisively.
Observers note that the forced resignations set a troubling precedent. They show that institutional authority can be challenged outside formal procedures, particularly during politically unstable times. The episode also underscores the vulnerability of academic institutions when faced with external pressure.
The resignations leave the university without its senior leadership while successors are elected. The incident reflects broader instability in Bangladesh’s education sector since the July uprising. Administrators now face calls to resist outside influence and protect academic independence to prevent further erosion of institutional authority.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
