CUET shutdown enters 7th day

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 28: The complete shutdown at Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) entered its seventh consecutive day on Monday as students and teachers continued protests demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.

Academic and administrative activities remained suspended as students boycotted classes and examinations, while the university’s administrative building and campus gates remained locked. Teachers and officials also joined the movement in support of the students' demand.

Students took position at the university's main gate from Monday morning as part of the shutdown programme. They also organised a '56 short-pitch cricket tournament' at the gate from 9am.
The protesters displayed a white sari carrying collective testimony about various activities and events involving former VC Prof Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.

Students expressed concern that the prolonged suspension of academic activities could create a session jam and urged the government to resolve the situation quickly.

Meanwhile, the CUET Teachers' Association observed a sit-in for the second consecutive day on Monday, demanding Sayem's reinstatement. The teachers held the programme in front of the VC's residence from 11am to 1pm.

The association had earlier declared a full-scale work abstention and staged a sit-in in solidarity with the students. Teachers and university officials have also joined the movement.

Students began their movement on September 21 after Prof Sayem was removed from the VC's post, 56 days after his appointment. They subsequently locked the VC's residence and office and enforced a complete shutdown of the university, boycotting classes and examinations.

Since then, students have organised a human chain, mass signature campaign, mass sit-in and torch procession demanding Sayem's reinstatement. They have also staged red-card demonstrations against the new VC and written protest graffiti on university buildings.