‘You didn't get here on merit, we put you in office’

Leaders and activists of several student organisations stormed into the office of Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Professor Yahya Akhter yesterday and allegedly confronted him over the promotion of one assistant professor of Sanskrit.

In a video circulating on social media since yesterday, a student is heard confronting the VC by saying, "You didn't come here on merit. We put you in this position."

The video sparked widespread backlash, drawing sharp criticism from teachers and students across universities in the country.

Many described the students' conduct as disrespectful and unbecoming of a university environment.

According to CU sources, the protest took place around 3:30pm on Friday, when a meeting of the promotion board was scheduled to consider Sanskrit department's Assistant Professor Kushal Baran Chakraborty for promotion to associate professor.

Members of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Islami Chhatra Andolon, and the Students Against Discrimination stormed the VC's office, demanding the cancellation of the meeting.

Protesters claimed that Kushal is the 20th accused in a 2024 case involving an attack on Hefazat activist Enamul Haque on court premises, and that he opposed student protests during the July movement. They argued that instead of being promoted, Kushal should be held accountable for his actions.

Witnesses present said the demonstrators entered the VC's office at around 3:30pm and began shouting slogans. During a heated exchange, Tahsan Habib, a student from the 2018–19 academic session of the History department, was heard saying, "Sir, we put you in office. You are bound to listen to us."

Former CU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir member, Sakhawat Hossain, added, "You didn't get this position on merit."

When contacted, Tahsan admitted the tone was regrettable. "The way things were said was unfortunate. But the situation escalated quickly. We did apologise to the VC at the time, and he accepted it. The matter was resolved then and there."

Meanwhile, Sakhawat said, "It was all in the heat of the moment. It was not premeditated."

A CU teacher, seeking anonymity, said, "Students should not speak that way inside the VC's office. CU is one of the four autonomous universities in the country. Such behaviour undermines the institution's dignity."

Asked, VC Yahya Akhter said, "I don't want to say much about the matter. Whatever they said, I didn't take it personally. Incidents like these have happened before, and students have apologised. I always tell them I hold no grudges. When it comes to running a university, criticism is part of the process.

"Our job is to continue academic activities despite these challenges. Any meaningful change in the university takes time."