KUET Crisis Continues: Students Rally Against Show-Cause Notices
Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) staged a protest on Monday night, opposing the issuance of show-cause notices to 37 students in connection with an incident involving the alleged harassment of teachers.
The demonstration began around 9:45 p.m. in front of the university’s Student Welfare Centre and proceeded through various residential halls before concluding at the starting point.
Earlier in the day, students held a human chain at noon at the same venue, where they voiced frustration over the prolonged academic suspension. “For almost three months, all academic activities have remained stagnant. Everything in our lives has come to a standstill. We are against this paralysis,” said the protesters. “We want all academic activities, including classes and exams, to resume immediately so we can complete our studies and leave the KUET campus.”
They also pleaded for justice and accountability. “We sincerely request our respected teachers to investigate the oppression faced by the students. We want those responsible for the disgraceful incident to be held accountable. At the same time, we also demand justice for the assault on teachers,” said one of the students.
Speakers at the human chain included Mushfiq (Batch ’19, Mechanical Engineering), Sagar (Batch ’19, IEM), Himel (Batch ’19, MSE), Subman (Batch ’19, EEE), Rahatul Islam (Batch ’20, Civil Engineering), and Atik (Batch ’19, CEC).
Earlier that day, KUET authorities issued show-cause notices to 37 students accused of harassing faculty members. The notices were based on the findings of a fact-finding committee formed during a KUET syndicate meeting held on February 19. The accused have been charged with seven types of misconduct, including teacher harassment.
According to KUET’s Director of Student Welfare, Professor Dr. Abdullah Elias Akhtar, the students have been asked to respond to the notices by 5:00 p.m. on May 15.
Meanwhile, despite the official resumption of academic activities on May 4, the deadlock persists as faculty members have yet to return to classrooms. The work abstention stems from the demand that those responsible for the February 18 and 19 incidents—particularly the assault on teachers—be brought to justice within seven working days.
