The General Secretary (GS) of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Salahuddin Ammar, staged a protest demanding the resignation of six deans known to be aligned with the Awami League. He began his sit-in on Sunday morning in front of the RUCSU building.

As none of the six deans were present on campus, Ammar contacted each of them by phone in front of journalists. At the same time, he made public separate resignation letters addressed to the vice-chancellor on their behalf.

The deans named in the protest were Abu Naser Md Wahid of the Faculty of Law, Nasima Akhter of Science, ASM Kamruzzaman of Business Studies, SM Ekram Ullah of Social Sciences, Bimal Kumar Pramanik of Engineering, and AHM Selim Reza of the Faculty of Geoscience.

Speaking outside the RUCSU building, Ammar said that although attempts were made to reach the deans, none were on campus. According to him, they informed him over the phone that they were no longer willing to continue in their roles.

The resignation letters prepared by Ammar mentioned the names of each dean and cited growing student dissatisfaction over their roles during the July mass uprising and the subsequent period of political unrest. The letters alleged that certain decisions, statements, and positions taken at that time went against students’ safety, rights, and interests, and harmed the university’s reputation.

The letters further stated that, in the interest of the university and a student-friendly academic environment, the deans had decided to step aside voluntarily in response to student demands.

After calling the deans, Ammar went to different departments to look for teachers aligned with the Awami League. He visited the Department of Geology and Mining in search of former vice-chancellor Golam Sabbir Sattar and former pro–vice-chancellor Md Sultan-ul-Islam. When they were not found there, he approached the department chair, who informed him that neither was present.

Ammar and others then left the department and later went to the Institute of Education and Research at the Siraji Building to look for assistant professor NAM Faisal Ahmed.

Addressing reporters, Ammar said the deans were absent due to illness, medical treatment, or meetings, which is why no attempt was made to lock their offices. He stressed that every minute was important for students and urged the vice-chancellor to appoint new deans promptly. He added that the group did not support a culture of locking offices and preferred direct administrative action.

Ammar also claimed that the six deans had collectively informed the administration that they were unable to perform their duties. He outlined two key student demands: first, the deans’ resignation; and second, their removal from all academic and administrative responsibilities until investigations into allegations against them are completed. He further alleged that some teachers were still promoting narratives opposing the July movement, influencing students inside classrooms.

The programme had been announced earlier through a Facebook post by Ammar on Saturday.

University sources said that in the election held on December 17, 2023, candidates from the Awami League–backed Yellow Panel were elected as deans in six out of twelve faculties. Although their terms ended last Wednesday, the vice-chancellor instructed them to continue in office until new elections are held, as per university regulations.

Several teachers and officials, speaking anonymously, said that public threats and announcements had created a sense of insecurity, raising concerns about disruption to normal academic and administrative activities.

In response, the university administration stated that any allegations must be submitted in writing and addressed through lawful procedures, adding that no one can be removed without proper evidence.

Meanwhile, two deans told the media on condition of anonymity that they were elected representatives and would step down once new deans are elected. Until then, they said, they would not actively carry out their duties.

University Proctor Professor Md Mahbubur Rahman said that no untoward incidents had occurred so far and emphasized that the administration did not want any teacher to be humiliated.