Chairmen of 20 departments at Jessore University of Science and Technology resign

The chairmen of 20 departments at Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) resigned from their posts on Sunday protesting assault on them and some fellow teachers.

However, JUST Vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Md Anwar Hossain, did not accept the resignation letters saying they were not submitted through proper channels.

General Secretary of the university's Teachers' Association, Dr Najmul Hasan, said the chairmen of 20 departments out of 24 submitted their resignation letters to the VC but he didn't accept the resignations and asked the teachers to be patient.

When contacted, the VC said he had heard  several department chairmen submitted resignation letters but those letters did not reach him as they were not sent through proper channels.

Terming the behaviour of the students towards their teachers as 'sorrowful,' the VC assured them of taking necessary steps after the probe body to investigate the incident submits its report.

On January 12, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader, Humaira Ajmiri Erin, misbehaved with some teachers over a ragging incident on campus.  Following the incident, the teachers boycotted classes demanding her punishment.

Later, they joined classes upon assurance that action would be taken against her. But, in the meeting held on February 19, the board did not take any initiative in this regard, according to the JUST Teachers' Association.

President of the association, Prof Iqbal Kabir Zahid, said they will launch a movement if the authorities don't ensure justice.