SUST teachers hold counter-protest against students over ‘indecent remarks’

Teachers of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) formed a human chain on the campus today, alleging that the anti-VC students are making "indecent remarks" on teachers.

They held the protest in front of the main gate of the university around 12pm.

About the reason behind the protest, Professor of Social Science department, Dr Laila Ashrafun, said the demonstrating students are making "indecent comments" about male and female teachers on social media. "We are protesting it," she said.

Professor Jashim Uddin of the same department said, the anti-VC students are making these kinds of comments. "How can we stand beside them?" -- he asked.

The state has to consider how students are using social media, he added.

Prof Himadri Shekhar Roy of English department said, "No group should make any comment which damages the congenial atmosphere on campus and hurts us."

The teachers will submit a formal statement to the teachers' association in this regard.

SUST Teachers' Association President Dr Tulsi Kumar Das told The Daily Star that he heard about the human chain but no one informed him formally. The association has no link to the protest programme, he said.

Denying the allegation, one of the students' spokesperson said no "indecent" comment or slogan was made against the teachers.

Hundreds of students continued to demonstrate on SUST campus for the sixth day today.

On Sunday evening, at least 30 SUST students were injured as police charged them with truncheons, fired rubber bullets and threw sound grenades to free the vice-chancellor who was confined to his office by the demonstrators.

Police filed a case accusing 200-300 unnamed students on charge of attempted murder of law enforcers.