'Complete shutdown' continues at Barishal University

Teachers protesting for promotions at Barishal University have decided to continue their 'complete shutdown' programme until their demands are met. On Tuesday, May 12, they also announced their resignation from all administrative positions and called for the removal of the vice chancellor.

At a campus meeting at noon, teachers unanimously decided not to return to any academic or administrative duties until their demands are fulfilled. Teachers present alleged the vice chancellor was deliberately delaying promotion matters, leading to the demand for his removal.

At least 72 teachers have resigned from administrative posts so far. These include one syndicate member, the proctor and six assistant proctors, house tutors and assistant house tutors of all halls, the student adviser, directors of the PSC, Student Counselling and Guidance Centre, IQAC, and Research Cell, two provosts, chairmen of 25 departments, and six deans.

Associate Professor Abdul Kayum of the Marketing Department said some teachers on leave have not yet signed resignation letters. He expressed hope that they would return to Barishal and sign within the next few days.

A complete shutdown began on Monday, May 11, over the promotion demands of 60 teachers, bringing all activities at the university to a standstill. Locks hang on all offices of the administrative building, and an eerie silence prevails across the campus.

The agitation began on April 21. Teachers announced a total non-cooperation movement after gradually observing work abstention and shutdown programmes. Earlier on April 30, a tripartite meeting involving the vice chancellor, the Barishal Divisional Commissioner, and teacher representatives reportedly agreed to give promotions according to existing policies. Based on that, teachers returned to classes with a five-day ultimatum.

However, teachers have alleged that at the 94th syndicate meeting on Saturday, the vice chancellor ignored the opinions of most members and imposed his own decision rather than resolving the crisis.

Department of Geology and Mining Chairman and Associate Professor Dhiman Kumar Roy said, "Our legitimate demands are still not being met. We will not return to classes unless the demands are accepted soon."

Vice Chancellor Professor Toufiq Alam, however, termed the teachers' programme illegal. "Teachers can abstain from work themselves, but there is no justification for obstructing others' work. This is completely illegal. If such activities do not stop, necessary action will be taken," he said.