Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in Mymensingh have continued their protests on Monday, rejecting the administration’s order to vacate the dormitories following the indefinite shutdown of the university.
Around 9:00 am, students from different halls brought out processions and gathered at KR Market on campus. Earlier in the morning, female students were seen leaving their dorms amid fear and uncertainty.
For nearly a month, students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry have been demonstrating in favor of continuing the “combined degree” system. Although the administration arranged a student vote on the issue, no final decision was announced.
Tensions escalated on Sunday when, failing to resolve the matter at the Academic Council meeting, agitated students confined the vice-chancellor along with about 200 teachers and officials inside the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, locking its main gate. Later in the evening, attackers believed to be outsiders assaulted the demonstrators, leaving at least 10 people, including student journalists, injured.
In response to the unrest, an emergency syndicate meeting held online at 9:30 pm on Sunday declared the university closed until further notice, ordering all students to vacate their halls by 9:00 am Monday.
Defying the directive, students staged demonstrations across the campus on Monday morning. They placed a four-point demand that includes: resignation of the proctorial body, a public apology from the vice-chancellor for Sunday’s violence and vandalism, ensuring campus security, and justice for the attack carried out by outsiders. The protesters warned of tougher programs if their demands are not met within 12 hours.
“We will not leave the halls,” said student Mahid Hasan. “The administration used outsiders to attack us and then ordered us to vacate. Leaving now would be cowardice. If students must leave, then teachers should leave too.”
Another student, Jahi Hasan Juthi, said: “We will not vacate under any circumstances. The administration is trying to force us out under pressure. Our demand is that our safety must be ensured.”
BAU has nine male dormitories and five female dormitories, accommodating around 6,500 students in total.
