KUET students demand VC’s resignation, enter halls braking locks

Protesting students at the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have announced a one-point demand for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Mashud, accusing him of failing to ensure student security, mishandling recent incidents, and acting against their interests. 

The students, who have been on campus since Sunday (April 13), took drastic measures on Tuesday (April 15) by breaking the locks of residential halls to reclaim their spaces.  

One-point demand: Removal of the VC 

Around 2:00pm on Tuesday, the protesting students held a press briefing at the KUET Student Welfare Centre, where they formally announced their demand for the VC’s resignation. 

They accused Professor Mashud of failing to provide adequate security for KUET students, refusing accountability for his mismanagement, cutting off internet access on campus, evicting students from residential halls, encouraging legal action against protesting students, expelling students involved in protests.  

The students emphasised that removing the VC is now their sole demand. 

Additionally, they called for an impartial investigation into recent incidents through a committee led by a new VC.  

Following the press briefing, the students proceeded to break the locks of various halls of residence and entered the premises. A procession was taken out towards Khan Jahan Ali Hall, where the main gate lock was broken. Similar actions were carried out at other halls as well.  

Rally and protest programme  

Earlier in the day, at around 1:00pm, the students organised a rally at the foot of the iconic Durbar Bangla sculpture on the campus. Over 150 students participated in the protest programme titled “Make KUET Free Again”, rejecting the syndicate’s decision to temporarily expel 37 students allegedly involved in a clash.  

During the rally, students demanded immediate access to their residential halls and displayed placards calling for transparency. They also urged the administration to disclose the names of all 37 expelled students and questioned the fairness of the syndicate’s decision.  

Syndicate’s decision and academic calendar 

On Monday night (April 14), the university authorities convened the 101st emergency syndicate meeting, during which it was decided to temporarily expel the 37 students allegedly involved in the February 18 clash. 

The meeting also resolved to reopen all residential halls starting May 2 and resume all academic activities from May 4.  

The ongoing unrest at KUET began on February 18, when a violent clash erupted over demands to end student politics on campus. The incident left over 100 people injured. 

In response, students locked down academic buildings, including the administrative building, the following day. On February 25, all residential halls were indefinitely closed, further escalating tensions.  

A committee formed to investigate the February 18 clash and identify the culprits submitted its report last Sunday. However, the protesting students remain dissatisfied, alleging bias and demanding accountability from the administration.  

Despite administrative attempts to address the situation, the students have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met. Breaking the locks of residential halls symbolises their determination to reclaim their rights and restore normalcy under fairer leadership.