Tensions erupt as Cuet Chhatra Dal leaders seek meeting with UGC committee

A commotion broke out at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) today (28 October) after a group of Chhatra Dal leaders sought to join a discussion with a University Grants Commission (UGC) advisory committee following its scheduled meeting with protesting students over the university’s ongoing stalemate.

The incident took place around 1:30pm, when a group of six to seven people sought to join the discussion, drawing objections from the protesting students.

The protesting students objected, alleging that the group, which included Cuet Chhatra Dal President Wasim Rashed, Vice-President Chandan Das and other leaders, consisted of “irregular” students, prompting a commotion that forced them to leave the venue.

Shahriar Hisam, a third-year student of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, told The Business Standard, “We had a scheduled meeting with the committee. But how did Chhatra Dal leaders and activists enter after the meeting? Why would they hold a separate meeting? They are all irregular students.”

He further alleged that the group included Ahsan Siam, a third-year student of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, who had been suspended from the university for one year over allegations related to drugs.

Asked about their attempt to join the discussion, Chhatra Dal’s Wasim said, “There can be differences of opinion. We went there to discuss various issues. We are students of this university and went there in our capacity as students.”

As part of efforts to resolve the stalemate at Cuet and resume academic activities, a six-member UGC advisory committee is holding discussions with teachers, students, officers and employees today.
The committee met with teachers from 10:30am to noon, followed by a discussion with students from noon to 1:30pm. It is currently meeting with university officers, with a discussion with employees scheduled to follow.