Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar (C R Abrar) has stated that he has no intention of resigning voluntarily in the wake of student protests over the postponement of HSC and equivalent exams following the fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Diya Bari, Uttara.
However, he added that he would step down if instructed by his appointing authority.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, Abrar said he does not believe there was any failure in discharging his duties.
“I see no breach in my responsibilities, so I have no intention to resign. However, I do have appointing authorities. If they think there was a lapse and ask me to step down, I will comply without hesitation,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Abrar met with Energy Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan before addressing the media.
The fighter jet crash occurred on Monday, and as of now, the death toll has risen to 32, with at least 165 others injured.
In response, the government declared a national day of mourning for Tuesday. Students from various institutions had called for the postponement of that day’s exams, and the decision to defer the HSC and equivalent exams was made late Monday night, around 2:45 a.m. This delay in announcement sparked anger among students.
On Tuesday, large numbers of students staged demonstrations both inside and outside the Secretariat, demanding the resignation of Education Adviser Abrar and the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division.
Following the protests, Senior Secretary Siddiq Zobair was relieved of his duties, a decision Abrar said was made by a higher authority and not involving him.
Addressing the protests and demands for his resignation, Abrar reiterated, “There is nothing to regret or justify here. I’m accountable to my appointing authority. If they decide I should leave, I will leave.”
