Dean leaves office amid protest in JnU

The students of Jugannath University (JnU)'s has staged a protest against Faculty of Sociology Dean Professor Dr. Md. Ainul Islam calling him a 'friend of fascism'.

On Thursday, he left the Economics Department office under pressure from students during a sit-in and protest that lasted for several hours in front of the Economics Department of the Faculty of Sociology. Members of the proctorial body, Chhatra Dal, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti leaders and activists, and students from various departments were present.

Sources said that students gathered in front of the Dean's office under the banner of 'July Fighters and Ordinary Students' and started a protest and raised various slogans demanding the resignation of Dr. Ainul Islam and called for his appointment to be cancelled.

The protesters alleged that Dr. Ainul Islam's role during the July 2024 mass uprising was controversial. They claim that he was involved in pro-Awami League teacher politics and participated in a meeting held at Ganabhaban on August 3. The students demanded an explanation from him, and at one stage of the conversation, he left the dean's office when the situation became heated.

Shahin Mia, member secretary of the JnU unit Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, who was present at the scene, said that they believe they have clear evidence of Dr. Ainul Islam's anti-July movement stance and participation in the Ganabhaban meeting. Shahin Mia alleged that he did not express any remorse when asked for an answer on this issue.

In this regard, Jagannath University Proctor Professor Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin said that today, July 16, on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day, the July fighters staged a movement against Dr. Ainul Islam by presenting some facts and data. He left the office in the face of the students' demands and the proctor said that the matter would be looked into seriously and the allegations raised would be investigated.

When asked about the allegations, Dr. Ainul Islam said that he left the office with honor considering the situation after students raised some complaints and protested. He claimed that his appointment as dean was completely legal and many of the allegations against him were old and motivated. He said that he went to the Ganabhaban meeting on the instructions of the administration as the then registrar, and commented that the matter would be clear only after investigating the true truth of the allegations.