Professor Protests Alone Against Student Assault at PUST
Dr. Arif Obaidullah, Chairman of the Department of Bangla at Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST), staged a solo protest on Monday (May 19) in front of the university’s administrative building. Holding a placard and maintaining a resolute silence, Dr. Obaidullah demonstrated against the reported physical assault on a general student.
According to sources, on Sunday (May 18), Shahriar Kabir Sohan, a 10th batch student of the Bangla department, was allegedly assaulted by several activists of the university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The group reportedly accused Sohan of being affiliated with the banned student wing of the ruling party and demanded that he be handed over to the police after he was taken to the proctor's office.
In response to the incident, Dr. Obaidullah held the solo human chain protest. “I want students to maintain peace and discipline on campus and continue their studies in a peaceful environment. No general student should fall victim to unjust harassment,” he stated.
“If a student commits a wrongdoing, it should be addressed according to the laws of the state and the university. But taking the law into one’s own hands is never acceptable. The university administration must take appropriate steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,” he added.
Addressing students directly, Dr. Obaidullah urged, “Forget all divisions among yourselves and live together in harmony. Do not remain divided. Forgive past mistakes and stand by each other.”
It is worth noting that Sunday’s incident triggered tension between activists of Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir on campus. A standoff in front of the main gate created a tense situation, which was later brought under control through administrative intervention.
