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PM asks JU teachers to go back to work
Reported by: UNBConnect
Reported on: May 03, 2012 04:00 pm
Reported in: National

Dhaka, May 3 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the agitating teachers of Jahangirnagar University to go back to their regular academic activities as soon as possible. She said this when leaders of the agitating teachers of the university led by President of the JU Teachers’ Association MA Mamun and General Secretary Sharif Uddin met her at her office.After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters. He said Sheikh Hasina asked the teachers to meet her to discuss their demands and problems. Hasina gave them a patient hearing and assured them of resolving their problems. The Prime Minister said when her government was working relentlessly to ensure a congenial academic atmosphere and improving the standard of education, the teachers of Jahangirnagar University are abstaining from classes. “The nation can’t expect it from the teachers,” she said adding, “If the teachers of a highest seat of learning do so what their students would learn from them.” Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Principal Secretary Sheikh Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman, and Education Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury were present. A group of teachers and students has been on a fast-unto-death since Tuesday last demanding resignation of the vice chancellor and cancellation of all appointments during his tenure. They alleged that the appointments were well behind the quality and the appointees were actively engaged in anti-progressive movement. JU Teachers under the banner of ‘Shikkhak Samaj’ are demanding resignation of VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir since the murder of Zubair Ahmed, an English department student, on January 9. Four JU students -- Russell Rana, Zubair Hossain, Sadia Zafrin and Atia Ferdaus Chaiti -- under the banner of ‘Sangskritik Jote’ started the fast-unto-death programme in front of the main gate of the VC’s residence around 10:00am on Tuesday. The students went on the fast-unto-death programme after 15 cultural activists were beaten up by Bangladesh Chhatra League men on April 28 for protesting the pro-government student body's vandalism at a demonstration by teachers a day before. On that day, a group of BCL men hurled brickbats at the teachers holding a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's residence demanding his resignation. Later, some 50 BCL men attacked Sangskritik Jote activists who were bringing out a protest procession near the arts faculty building.

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