Student groups lock CU administrative building over Pro-VC’s remarks

Different student groups of Chittagong University (CU) on Monday locked the university’s administrative building demanding the removal of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan for his alleged controversial remarks over the killings of intellectuals in 1971.

Under the banner of Sarbadaliya Chhatra Oikya (All-Party Students’ Unity), the students padlocked all gates of the administrative building around noon protesting his remarks denying the role of Pakistani occupation forces in the killing of intellectuals during the Liberation War.

Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Md Kamal Uddin and Controller of Examinations Prof Momtaz Uddin Ahmed were inside the building at that time.

The building remained locked as of filing this report in the afternoon.

The students demanded an unconditional apology and resignation of Prof Shamim Uddin Khan.

CU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Jalal Uddin said they locked the administrative building in protest against Prof Shamim Uddin’s remarks on the martyred intellectuals.

“If he does not apologise unconditionally, we will continue to press for his resignation,” he said.

Sumaiya Sikder, a representative of Nari Angan, condemned the remarks, saying such comments were unacceptable from an academic. “His statement has demeaned the Liberation War and the martyred intellectuals. We demand his resignation so that no one dares to make such remarks in future.”

Biplobi Chharta Moitri President Joshod Zakir said the comments attempted to create a narrative in favour of collaborators which is “disgraceful and shameful.”

After locking the building, CU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman said the university runs on public funds, not on funds of any particular group.

He alleged that during a discussion meeting marking Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday, the pro-VC referred to Pakistani soldiers as ‘warriors’ which sparked outrage among students. “He must apologise and resign. We will not remove the locks otherwise,” he said.

Earlier, speaking at a discussion organised by the CU administration on 14 December, Prof Shamim Uddin Khan reportedly said that 16 December was fixed as the day of surrender and they (the Pakistani army) were preparing to return and in such a situation, the idea that the Pakistani army would kill Bangladesh’s intellectuals is completely baseless.

This was part of an international conspiracy and the intellectuals were killed with the aim of turning this country into a tributary state of another country, he added.