Chhatra Dal boycotts CU Victory Day programme over Pro-VC's presence

Tension erupted at University of Chittagong (CU) on Victory Day as leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) boycotted a discussion programme over the presence of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan.

The incident occurred at Jarultala on the campus shortly after the programme began on Tuesday (December 16).

During the speeches, JCD activists arrived in a procession, mounted the stage and announced a boycott, briefly disrupting the event.

Following the boycott, the campus atmosphere grew tense. However, university security personnel and teachers intervened and brought it under control.

The move follows continued demands from student groups, including Chhatra Dal, for Professor Shamim Uddin’s resignation after he described the 1971 killing of intellectuals as “baseless” during a previous programme on Martyred Intellectuals Day.

Earlier on Monday, protesting students under the banner of “All-Party Student Unity” locked the gates of the administrative building, later easing the programme in view of Victory Day observances.

Victory Day activities at CU began in the morning with the laying of wreaths at the Independence Memorial Sculpture, followed by a victory procession that ended at Jarultala. The discussion programme resumed after the boycott announcement and concluded peacefully without further incident.