BUET Students Stand in Solidarity with KUET Peers, Demand Justice and Withdrawal of ‘False Cases’
On Tuesday, April 15, students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) staged a human chain at the foot of the university’s central Shaheed Minar, voicing concern over alleged false cases filed against protesting students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET).
Delivering a written statement during the demonstration, Al Farabi, a 20th batch student from BUET’s Mechanical Engineering Department, said, “On February 18, 2025, more than a hundred students were injured in an armed attack on the KUET campus by local Chhatra Dal members and BNP-affiliated terrorists. Before the outcry over such a barbaric act against students calling for a safe and apolitical campus could settle, we are shocked to witness the KUET administration, nearly two months later, facilitating politically motivated, baseless, and vindictive cases against 22 innocent and protesting students.”
Farabi further questioned the role of the KUET authorities, saying, “It is deeply concerning and baffling how names of innocent students participating in a peaceful movement were included in the case list before identifying the actual perpetrators or completing the investigation. Needless to say, the role of KUET administration remains highly questionable. We unequivocally state that this case is a reflection of the inaction, failure, and bias of both the KUET administration and the investigative committee.”
Another student from the same department and batch, Arman Hasan, condemned what he described as repressive measures taken by KUET authorities. “We have come to know that the administration has adopted a series of oppressive steps to suppress the movement. The dormitories have been shut down, and when students refused to vacate, the administration cut off water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, forcing them out in an authoritarian manner. During Eid, students were denied access to the campus, while outsiders were allowed entry. Rather than taking action against the known attackers, the administration is conducting smear campaigns against those protesting for their legitimate demands. Forcing students to spend nights under the open sky sets a deplorable precedent,” he said.
The statement also emphasized the broader implications of the actions taken against the 22 KUET students. “We believe this case is not just against these 22 students; it is a direct attack on the autonomy of educational institutions and the legitimate rights of students across the country. If we remain silent today, many more students may fall victim to such farcical actions tomorrow. Silencing bright students for political gains and undermining the spirit of the July Movement will do the nation no good.”
Expressing solidarity with the KUET students’ movement, Arman added, “We have learned that the KUET syndicate meeting last night decided to suspend 37 students. Expelling any innocent student who peacefully protests for a safe, apolitical campus is unacceptable. As BUET students, we stand with the just movement of our peers at KUET and strongly demand the immediate withdrawal of false cases, punishment of the actual offenders, and strict accountability for the controversial and negative role played by the KUET Vice Chancellor and the administration.”
