RU completes 52 years
Rajshahi University has completed 52 years of its foundation and stepped into a new era of its long history of ups and down. The varsity opened its door for the students with a solemn promise to provide quality education on July 6,1953 as an aftermath of a series of struggles. Situated at the green square of Motihar, the main campus of the varsity is about five kilometres east from Rajshahi city. It is the second largest university in the country and the highest seat of learning in the neglected northern part. During the British rule, the 'Sadlar Commission' proposed to set up a university in Rajshahi alongside DU but the British Government did not materialise the proposal for political and economic reasons. After the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947, a series of movements continued in East Pakistan demanding a university in Rajshahi . Madar Baksh, a reputed lawyer and member of the then Pakistan Legislative Assembly, Abdul Hamid, a noted educationist and Sheikh Ansar Ali, a retired Judge, led the movement at that time. On February 6 and 13,1953 a couple of huge demonstrations rocked the city and new fuel was added to the movement. Two huge demonstrative gatherings- one at the Rajshahi College--and the other at the city's Bhubanmahan Park were held amid interception by police and arrest of some 15 people. Later, in the wake of consecutive movements the then Pakistan government conducted a feasibility survey report and Rajshahi was found suitable for establishing a university. At last Rajshahi University Act- 1953 (East Bengal ActXV of 1953) was passed by the East Pakistan
Provincial Assembly on March 31. The university celebrated its golden jubilee through a three-day programme from December 21 to 23 in 2003 but this year it has not taken any special programme to mark the day.
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