KUET Campus Crisis: Students Burn Symbolic Chair Demanding VC’s Resignation

Students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) staged a symbolic protest on Saturday evening (April 19), demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor. Around 6:15 PM, they gathered at the foot of ‘Durbar Bangla’ on campus and set fire to a symbolic representation of the VC's chair as part of their ongoing one-point movement.

Prior to this, at approximately 5:30 PM, students marched through the campus chanting slogans such as “Why is the broker VC still in office? We demand an interim answer!”, “Burn, burn—light the fire!”, and “Set fire to the VC's chair together!”

“The KUET VC has failed to ensure student safety and is now refusing to take responsibility,” students said during the protest. “He shut off water and internet services and forcibly evicted us from the dormitories. He also expelled protesting students. We no longer accept him as our VC. Until he resigns, our movement will continue.”

They reaffirmed their commitment to their sole demand, stating, “We are unwavering in our one-point demand and will persist until it is fulfilled.”

Meanwhile, the KUET community appears divided over the anti-VC movement. A section of teachers, officials, and staff members have openly opposed the student protests, organizing counter-demonstrations and human chains. In response to an incident of alleged misconduct toward a teacher, the KUET Teachers’ Association has formed a five-member investigation committee.

The unrest follows a violent clash on February 18 between KUET students and members of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, amid calls to ban student politics on campus. The conflict left over 50 people injured. Subsequently, on February 25, the university syndicate suspended academic activities and closed residential halls indefinitely.

Despite official restrictions, students forcibly re-entered the campus on April 13 and broke into six halls by April 15. Since then, they have been leading daily protests demanding the VC’s resignation. While a faction of the teaching community is reportedly sympathetic to the student movement, most have refrained from openly participating. As a result, the academic environment at KUET remains in a state of near-paralysis.