First day of library reopening descends into chaos

After 18 months, Dhaka University authorities (DU) reopened its central, departmental, and institutional libraries for honours final and masters students yesterday, as per a previous decision.

However, what was supposed to be a festive occasion soon turned sour during a teacher's group's visit -- lead by DU proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani -- at the science faculty library around 10am, as a confrontation threatened to turn into a scuffle.

As the library gates opened around the same time, this correspondent saw staffers prepared at the entrance with hand sanitisers, masks, and temperature measuring instruments.

But this was for nought as students started pouring in as soon as the gates opened, cramming into the library almost by force, said a science faculty library staffer.

During their visit, the teachers -- also consisting of DU librarian Nasiruddin Munshi; general secretary of Teachers' Association Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan; and assistant proctor Liton Kumar Saha -- asked students about their neglect of the health guidelines and asked them to produce vaccination certificates.

The situation became tense once the assistant proctor attempted to slap a student due to misconduct.

Other students soon came to their fellow's aid and surrounded the assistant proctor. During the chaos, agitated students also harassed two campus reporters who were trying to capture photos and videos of the incident.

Liton Kumar told The Daily Star that there was no tension in the library. They only attempted to talk to the students as they rushed into the library.

On the overall issue, proctor Golam Rabbani said, "Students have been asked to follow health rules for their own safety. Former students are not allowed to enter the library; it is only open to regular students. We look forward to working with students to keep the peace," he said.

"Teachers serve as guardians for students. Teachers have the authority to instruct and guide their students. This is something students should consider," he added.

Earlier, the authorities decided to reopen its dormitories on October 5 and library on September 26, ahead of resuming academic activities.

Students and library custodians were given instructions on how to maintain health guidelines. But on the first day of library reopening, students were seen flouting the guidelines left and right, this correspondent saw.