JUST VC: Freedom and Sovereignty Admit No Compromise

Vice-Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Professor Dr. Md Abdul Majid, has said that there can be no compromise on the question of independence and sovereignty, stressing that the voices of the people can never be silenced by bullets.

“We believed that we would achieve independence through the Liberation War of 1971 and freedom through the student–people’s mass uprising of 2024—that our space for thought and reason would expand. But instead of reason, we have witnessed attempts by an evil force to suppress our arguments with bullets,” he said. Referring to the brutal attack and shooting of Osman Hadi, Dr. Majid added, “History shows that dissenting voices cannot be silenced by weapons. From the Language Movement to the Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, bullets have failed to suppress the voice of the people—and they never will.”

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Sailor Presents Second National Debate Competition 2025, held on Friday, December 19, at the Professor Mohammad Sharif Hossain Gallery of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Academic Building on the JUST campus. The event was organised by the JUST Debate Club, with overall support from the university’s Student Counselling and Guidance Office.

At the beginning of the programme, participants observed a minute of silence and offered prayers in memory of July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Mancha, and other martyrs of the July movement. This was followed by recitations from holy scriptures and the national anthem. The two-day national debate competition features teams from 32 universities, with the theme “Let Thought Be Liberated in the Battle of Logic.”

Addressing students, the vice-chancellor urged them to resolve differences through logic, uphold mutual respect, and maintain friendship despite differing opinions. Speaking on nation-building, he said that by honouring the sacrifices of the martyrs, Bangladesh could move closer to the nation it aspires to be. “No evil force can restrain the power of justice. Through reason, we must put an end to organised wrongdoing and build the future Bangladesh we envision,” he said, wishing all participating teams success.

The programme was chaired by Md Motaleb Hossain, President of the JUST Debate Club and convener of the competition. Special guests included Dr. Md Rafiul Hasan, Director of the Student Counselling and Guidance Office, and Shahabaz Ahmed, joint convener of the event. Faculty members, including Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammad Naushin Amin Sheikh of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and students from various universities were also present. The event was conducted by Rifat Raihan and Sayma Rahman Tisha of the JUST Debate Club.

DBTech/NH/MUM/OR