High Court stays BUET decision of student politics on campus

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The High Court division of the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the decision of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) authorities restricting politics on the campus.

The apex court bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar passed the order hearing a petition filed by Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, a BUET student and a leader of Chhatra League, whose hall allotment was cancelled recently amid students’ protest against the gathering of some BCL leaders on the campus defying ban.

The High Court also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the decision of BUET authorities banning politics on the campus, taken in 2019, should not be declared illegal.

Secretary to the Home Ministry, BUET Vice-Chancellor and its Registrar were made respondents to the rule.

Senior Advocate Shaha Manjurul Haque stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Samrendra Nath Biswas and Assistant Attorney General Abul Kalam Khan Daud represented the state.

Advocate Manjurul said with this order there is no bar to continue student politics on the campus.

On October 7, 2019, Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the university’ s Sher-e-Bangla Hall in the early hours.

On October 11, same year, BUET authorities banned student politics on the campus. It also issued a notification.

On July 19 2023, the BUET authorities again issued a notice prohibiting students and teachers from participation in politics on the campus. They issued the notice following media reports about the names of the members of BCL Central Committee where some students of Buet also got some posts in the committee.

On Thursday night, some BCL leaders including the President Saddam Hossain entered the campus, sparking anger among general students.

The staged demonstrations the following day protesting bid to revive political activities of BCL.

They also held a press conference in front of BUET Shaheed Minar on that day and continued their demonstration till Friday evening after taking position in front of the office of Directorate of Student Welfare on the campus.

Later, the authorities concerned cancelled the hall allocation of Imtiaz who allegedly played a vital role in facilitating the entry of the BCL men.

A probe body was formed in this connection and it was asked to submit its report within April 8. - Special Correspondent