Rabindra Univ students call off protest on education minister’s assurance

Students of Rabindra University in Sirajganj today withdrew their movement demanding the termination of a department head, following "assurance from the education minister."

Around 11 am, the protesters opened the gate of the administration building, where they left the acting vice-chancellor and several officials confined since yesterday to press home their demand, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Shamim Hossain, a spokesperson of the protesting students, told The Daily Star, "Education Minister Dipu Moni called me this morning and based on her assurance, we are withdrawing the protest programme."

"But we will continue the peaceful sit-in programme in front of the academic building till Tuesday. We will opt for tougher measures if our demands are not met by that time," Shamim said.

Hours after Rabindra University was declared closed for an indefinite period, the administration issued a notice confirming that the university will not remain closed. However, exams will remain suspended till further notice.

The aggrieved students have been demonstrating seeking permanent expulsion of Farhana Yeasmin Baten.

On September 26, the teacher asked university employees to trim a male student's long hair before allowing him to enter the examination hall.

Afterward, Farhana, herself, trimmed hair for many other students, said the agitators.

Unable to bear the humiliation, one of the students tried to commit suicide, sparking protests.

A probe committee later found proof that Farhana had indeed trimmed the student's hair against their will.

Amid the student protest, Farhana announced that she will be stepping down as the head of the Department of History, Culture, and Bangladesh Studies of the university.