18 CUET Chhatra League leaders expelled from university hall

18 student leaders from the Chhatra League at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have been temporarily expelled from their residential hall. 

The decision was made after these students were linked to a series of disturbing events, including attacks on members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and involvement in criminal activities on campus. 

The disciplinary action was finalized during an emergency meeting of the university‍‍`s disciplinary committee late Thursday evening.

The expelled students are all members of CUET‍‍`s Chhatra League and hold various leadership positions. 

Some of them include former vice-president Tofaiya Rabbi, Mohammad Imam Hossain, Mohammad Sadikuzzaman, Yusuf Abdullah, Mohammad Tanvir Jonny, Iftikhar Sajid, and Shakil Faraji. 

Other expelled students are former joint general secretary Mohammad Toufikur Rahman, Shoumik Joy, Talha Zubair, Mahmudul Hasan, Mohammad Rifat Hossain, and Moinul Haque. The list also includes former organizational secretary Azharul Islam, Irfanul Karim, Ashikul Islam, and Tahsin Ishtiaq.

In addition to these 18 students, three others have been served show-cause notices. 

They are former general secretary of CUET Chhatra League Vijay Hossain, vice-president Chinmoy Kumar Debnath, and joint general secretary Mohammad Rakib Uddin Chowdhury.

The controversy started when students organized a protest on campus from noon to 4:30 PM on Thursday. 

The protest was fueled by demands for the expulsion of Chhatra League leaders and action against a faculty member accused of drinking alcohol in the residential hall with students. 

The protesting students locked the entrance of the administrative building, forcing the university to address the situation. 

Following the protest, the vice-chancellor assured students that the expelled students would be removed from the hall that night, with the possibility of further expulsion from the university depending on the results of the investigation.

Mahafuzar Rahman, the coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at CUET, said

“Since the fall of the autocratic government, we have been calling on the administration to take action against Chhatra League leaders. Finally, in response to the students‍‍` demands, the administration has taken visible action. We hope the investigation is completed quickly and that these students are expelled from the university as well. We are also demanding action against the accused teacher.”

The deputy director of the student welfare department, Mohammad Saiful Islam, confirmed the disciplinary action. 

He stated that the 18 expelled students and three others have been given until 3 PM on February 26 to respond to the show-cause notices.

Based on their replies and any evidence that comes to light, further action will be taken.

CUET’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan, explained that the disciplinary measures were taken based on the complaints from students. 

He said, “If the allegations are proven beyond doubt, the punishment may be increased. However, if any student can prove their innocence, the punishment will be suspended.” 

Regarding the accused teacher, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that the initial investigation report was unsatisfactory, which led to the formation of a new committee for further investigation. 

The final report will guide the university‍‍`s decision on the teacher’s fate.

This expulsion comes amidst rising tensions on campus, signaling that CUET is taking a strong stance against what it perceives as harmful activities that disrupt campus harmony.