Buet to comply with HC order on student politics on campus: VC

The High Court on Monday (1 April) stayed the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) authorities' ban on student politics on campus. 

Following the stay order, Buet VC told reporters at his office, "We have to comply with what the High Court order says and we cannot be accused of contempt of court."

However, the protesting students after the high court order called for a press conference and told reporters that they are still "united and as firm as rock" against student politics on the Buet campus. 

"We have full respect and confidence in the judiciary. We hope that the Buet vice chancellor along with other teachers will appease the demand of a politics-free campus in a legal way," they said in the briefing.

They also urged all teachers to stand by the students' side in the critical time. 

Meanwhile, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain told reporters that student politics will be practised at Buet due to this ruling. However, the university authorities retain the right to ensure the practice of orderly politics.

A group of students from Chhatra League welcomed a court decision by paying respects to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman near the Buet Shahid Minar on Monday. 

They expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that it reinstated their constitutional right to express political opinions. They further said Buet is open to progressive parties and will not tolerate any groups with anti-independence ideologies.

The High Court also issued a rule asking why the decision to ban student politics on campus should not be deemed illegal.

The order, along with the rule, was given by Justice Md Khosruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar Kazal after the hearing of a writ petition filed by Imtiaz Rabbi, a student and Chhatra League leader whose dormitory allotment was revoked by Buet authorities.

Senior lawyer Shah Monjurul Hoque moved for the writ in court. After the order, he told reporters there are no legal obstacles to student politics at Buet now.

After the order, Buet VC Prof Satya Prasad Majumder told reporters, "We have to comply with what the HC order says, and we cannot be accused of contempt of court," said Buet VC Prof Satya Prasad Majumder talking to reporters at his office.

"We are yet to receive the HC order," he added, noting that upon receiving the order, they will follow legal procedures accordingly.

Following the murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad, the university authorities issued an emergency notice in October 2019, banning activities of student organisations in the campus.

Despite the ban, a few leaders and activists of the Chhatra League allegedly entered the campus. They carried out political activities on the night of 27 March.

On 30 March, Buet students boycotted all sorts of academic activities after witnessing the Chhatra League staging a return to political activity on the campus.

Expressing their anger at the incident, the protesting students placed several demands on the Buet administration in written form. 

Quickly responding to that protest, the university authorities revoked Rabby's dormitory allotment. 

On 31 March, Chhatra League organised a counter-programme and demanded the lift of the ban on student politics on the campus and giving back its leader Imtiaz Hossain Rabby his hall allotment within 24 hours.

Leaders of the Institute of Engineers of Bangladesh (IEB) on 31 March also demanded the immediate reinstatement of student politics in Buet.