KUET Crisis: Students Launch Hunger Strike Demanding Vice Chancellor’s Resignation
Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding the removal of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Masood. The strike commenced at 4:00 PM on Monday, April 21, on the veranda of the university's Student Welfare Center. Protesters arrived equipped with mattresses, pillows, and bed sheets, vowing to continue their demonstration until their demand is met.
Earlier, on Sunday, April 20, at 3:00 PM, the demonstrators issued a 24-hour ultimatum calling for the VC’s resignation. That deadline expired at 3:00 PM the following day. Around 3:30 PM, students began gathering in front of Dr. M. A. Rashid Hall and then proceeded to the Student Welfare Center with their protest materials.
According to the students, several senior faculty members—including the Director of Student Welfare, members of the university syndicate, the president of the Teachers’ Association, and departmental heads—were already present at the welfare center. These teachers urged the students to withdraw from their hunger strike. However, the demonstrators remained firm, stating that they would not end their movement unless the vice chancellor resigns.
The unrest stems from a violent clash on February 18 over the demand to ban student politics on campus. The incident resulted in injuries to more than 50 students. In response, the university administration buildings, including academic facilities, were locked down by protesters. That same day, an emergency meeting of the university syndicate decided to suspend all political activities on campus and formed an investigation committee to probe the violence.
On February 20, students staged a protest, symbolically showing "red cards" to all political student organizations while reiterating their demand for the VC’s resignation. Subsequently, on February 23, student representatives traveled to Dhaka and submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser, pressing six demands including punishment for those responsible for the violence and the VC’s resignation.
On February 25, the university’s highest policy-making body, the syndicate, held its 99th emergency meeting and decided to close all residential halls indefinitely. Since then, students have been continuing their protests, focusing solely on the demand for the vice chancellor’s removal.
Professor Dr. Abdullah Ilyas Akhtar, Director of Student Welfare at KUET, said, “We have called upon students to resolve the crisis through dialogue instead of resorting to a hunger strike.” He added, “I have assured them that we will discuss the suspension of the 37 students with the administration. The students have nothing to fear—no innocent person will be punished.”
