Islamic University: VC leaves campus amid protests

Islamic University Vice Chancellor Prof Shaikh Abdus Salam left campus for Dhaka yesterday morning, while a group of jobseekers, mostly former Chhatra League leaders, has kept his office padlocked since Monday.

The jobseekers have been staging demonstrations demanding Salam's resignation since several audio conversations, reportedly between the VC and a jobseeker, went viral on social media.

"I had a plan to visit Dhaka. My daughter will return from abroad. Again, I have some work at the University Grants Commission," Salam told The Daily Star over phone. "There is no relation with anything else."

"I will talk with UGC regarding university-related issues, and the present condition of the campus might come up casually," he said.

Salam has taken leave till March 4 and will probably return to the campus on March 3 or 4, he added.

Meanwhile, HM Ali Hasan, acting registrar of the university located in Kushtia, yesterday said authorities have relieved Ayub Ali from the post of personal secretary at the VC's office. He did not give any reason.

Several months back, a group of former and current BCL leaders launched a movement against Ayub. They alleged he misbehaves with people who go for work at the office. During this time, his office was vandalised.

On February 16 and 17, three audio clips of the VC's reported conversation surfaced on Facebook, which led to a commotion on campus. On Wednesday morning, the clips were played on loudspeaker in front of the university's administrative building.