Bangladesh News

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) decided last night that they would not hold any admission tests for entry level unless the government free their detained colleagues and students.

Three of the four detained teachers are faculty deans who preside over the admission tests.

Earlier yesterday, newly appointed Home Affairs Adviser MA Matin sought a few days more from the academics and students for a “dignified” solution to the crisis.

The university teachers decided at last night’s requisitioned meeting that they would hold solidarity rally on the campus on January 23 if their demand were not met by the time.

The meeting also took a few other decisions, which include continuing to wear black ribbons and hoist black flag at the university’s Arts Building until the release of the detainees.

Duta members told a press briefing that the meeting asked the government to withdraw all the charges brought against the teachers and the students in a bid to put an end to the crisis.

Meanwhile, Dhaka University students threatened to break the state of emergency if the university teachers and fellow students are not freed within January 18, the deadline they set on January 13.

The students said they have been holding peaceful demonstrations since last week to press home their demand for unconditional and dignified release of all the detained teachers and students and for cancellation of all cases filed in connection with last year’s campus violence.

Among other things, they yesterday observed a two-hour class boycott programme, held silent processions, conducted signature campaign, staged street drama and scrawled graffiti.

Today they will observe two-hour class boycott and form human chain on the campus.