JU teachers scuffle over appointments

Two factions of teachers at Jahangirnagar University (JU) are accusing each other of "physical assault".

The trouble began when a faction of pro-Awami League teachers called for a strike yesterday.  

The teachers, loyal to ex-VC Prof Sharif Enamul Kabir, padlocked the university's transport office around 4:30am as part           of their pre-scheduled strike.

On Monday, under the banner of "Bangabandhur Adarsha O Muktijuddher Chetonay Bishwashi Progotishil Shikkhok Shomaj", the group declared that they would hold a programme the next day (yesterday) protesting the violation of the university acts, statutes and syndicate by the current Vice Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam. 

When the group of six teachers put the transport office under lock and key, another group consisting of around 15 teachers loyal to the VC assaulted them around 5:00am, leaving all six injured, they alleged.

In protest against the "assault", they held a press conference on the campus around noon. They also continued their pre-scheduled strike from 8:30am to 4:00pm, hampering regular classes and exams.  

They also demanded that the JU authorities remove the proctorial body.

Meanwhile, around 60 teachers loyal to the incumbent VC formed a human chain in front of the JU administrative building around noon protesting "illogical strike". 

Speaking at the human chain, Prof Hanif Ali of computer science and engineering department said the anti-VC group is trying to create unrest on the campus.

While talking to this correspondent after the human chain, Hanif alleged that some of their teachers were also injured by the anti-VC group when they tried to prevent the group from locking the transport office.   

He said they had also verbally complained of assault to the VC.

While talking to this correspondent, JU VC said the incident was "sorrowful for us".

She said she had called a meeting today with the teachers.

One of the allegations of the anti-VC group is that VC Farzana forcibly "removed" nine hall provosts on April 11 by exercising special rights, and appointed new ones.

According to the statute, the provost of a hall shall be appointed by the syndicate. But the VC appointed new provosts without the syndicate's approval, they alleged.

The teachers also alleged that VC appointed those who had been involved in controversial activities on the campus.

However, Prof Farzana denied all the allegations.

Moreover, a three-member probe body was formed to investigate the incident and submit its report within the next seven workdays, said the VC.

Meanwhile, terming the strike "unexpected", JU authorities issued a statement yesterday saying the nine hall provosts were replaced maintaining the university rules as their tenure had expired.

"It is not a violation of the university act,” the statement added. 

On the other hand, the anti-VC group also rejected the probe body, alleging that it was not "neutral".

Associate Prof Farid Ahmed, also a spokesperson of the anti-VC group, said they would continue their strike from 8:30am to 12:00 noon.

Only two administrative buildings will remain within the purview of the strike, he said, adding that classes and exams would continue as usual.

He said they would form a human chain on the campus today wearing black badges.