Students Host Symbolic Cricket Tournament and Movie Screening at Main Gate
CUET Shutdown Enters 7th Day Demanding VC Reinstatement
- Protests enter 7th consecutive day demanding reinstatement of former VC Dr. Sayem
- Academic and administrative operations remain paralyzed due to total shutdown
- Unique protest programs include '56-Ball Cricket', white sari testimony, and night watch
Chittagong, Monday (28 September): Demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, student-led protests at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) entered their seventh consecutive day today. The ongoing "Complete Shutdown" has completely paralyzed academic, laboratory, and administrative activities across the campus today, Monday (28 September), with no classes or examinations held.
Alongside students, university teachers, officers, and administrative staff have enforced a joint work abstention, bringing administrative processes to a total standstill. A lock hangs on the door of the Vice-Chancellor's office with a note reading, "This lock can only be opened by Sayem Sir." To prevent the entry of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, students maintained a nightlong vigil at the primary entrance gate, spending the night playing guitars, card games, and online e-football.
As part of today's protest routine, students constructed a cricket pitch at the main gate to host a symbolic "56-Ball Short Pitch Cricket Tournament." Furthermore, a campaign was launched collecting public testimonials on a white sari documenting Professor Dr. Sayem's contributions during his brief tenure. Protesting students also brought out a rally protesting intimidation tactics from various quarters, followed by an evening open-air screening of the film "Banalata Express" at the Central Shaheed Minar premises.
Earlier on Sunday, students organized a symbolic march titled "56?" holding red placards, set up a "56 Corner" displaying campus modernization milestones achieved under Dr. Sayem, and staged street plays depicting the unexpected VC replacement after just 56 days. Protesters re-affirmed that the complete shutdown will continue until Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem is officially restored to his position.
//DBTech/Tanvir Ahmad/SME/MIST//
