C T Online Desk: Buet Vice Chancellor Prof Satya Prasad Majumdar has said politics can return to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology if that is what its teachers and students want.
“Back then (after the killing of Abrar Fahad), teachers, students and the erstwhile vice-chancellor together decided to ban student politics on the Buet campus. They have to decide if they want to change that,” the Buet VC told the media on Sunday.
“Earlier, there was a University of Engineering Central Students Union. There was no such problem then… Students will not have an open mind if they do not join politics.
“If you want to work for the country, you have to learn politics. If they think about these and decide accordingly, maybe politics can make a return. However, we cannot force politics on them from the administration.”
Regarding students skipping exams, he said: “We urged them to attend the exams. If someone does not take a test, that is their business. However, according to the decision of the academic council, examinations will continue as per the academic calendar.”
About last year’s Tanguar Haor incident, where the police arrested 24 Buet students on charges of “conspiracy against the government,” the VC said: “They (arrested students) are out on bail. We cannot initiate a re-trial while they are on bail. We have collected information, which we can provide if the High Court wants.”
Regarding the ongoing protests, he said: “I have made an inquiry committee. After it submits a report, we will decide whether the students’ demands are fair.”
