Five DU assistant proctors resign amid security concerns; another set to follow

Five assistant proctors of the University of Dhaka (DU) have resigned amid mounting campus unrest, a series of cocktail explosions and growing criticism of the administration's handling of the security situation. 

Another assistant proctor is also expected to step down.

DU Proctor Associate Professor Dr Md Israfil Prang confirmed the resignations to Daily Waadaa on Thursday.

"They have resigned, citing personal reasons. Two submitted their resignation letters on Wednesday night, one on Thursday morning and the remaining two in the afternoon," he said.

He added that the letters had been submitted to the vice-chancellor through him.

According to sources at the Proctor's Office, the five who resigned are Dr Md Rafiqul Islam of the Department of Arabic, Atia Shanjida Shormi of the Department of Zoology, Muhammad Mahbub Kaiser of the Department of Sociology, Sharmin Kabir of the Institute of Education and Research, and Jahangir Alam of the Department of Management Information Systems.

Md Rezaul Karim Shohag of the Department of Criminology is also expected to resign on Thursday evening.

A resigning assistant proctor, speaking to Waadaa on condition of anonymity, said members of the Proctorial Body had been holding regular meetings to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation on campus. During one such meeting, the proctor hinted at the pressure they were facing.

"I asked him, 'Sir, does that mean I should resign?' He replied, 'It would be better if you did.' He did not directly instruct me to resign, but it was a request from him. He himself did not seem comfortable discussing the matter," the teacher said.

He added that he submitted his resignation letter to the proctor at around midnight on Wednesday.

Asked whether political affiliations had influenced the decision, the teacher described himself as a supporter of both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. He also identified himself as an active member of the White Panel, an organisation of BNP- and Jamaat-leaning teachers at the university.

"I cannot say for certain, but that could be a possibility," he said when asked whether his political views might have played a role in the circumstances surrounding his resignation.

The teacher also questioned the timing of the resignations, saying no student group had expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the assistant proctors or demanded their removal.

"I am not sure why such instructions are suddenly coming. Rather, during this difficult period, I advised everyone to work together as a team. And this is happening at such a crucial moment!" he said.

However, Associate Prof Muhammad Mahbub Kaiser offered a different explanation for his departure, telling Waadaa that he resigned because of personal, family and academic commitments.

The assistant proctors were appointed during the interim government's tenure following the July uprising. 

Their resignations came after several meetings of the Proctorial Body over the deteriorating security situation and continued unrest on campus.