Students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) staged an immediate protest and held a press briefing over the alleged display of political slogans within the university premises. The demonstration began at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the BUET Shahid Minar, highlighting their concerns over the sanctity of the campus as a politically neutral space.
According to the protesting students, Nasiruddin Patwari, a former parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-8, had visited the BUET Central Mosque as part of his routine Tarawih prayers and public engagement programme. While the mosque is open to all and every individual has the right to pray, the students alleged that political slogans were chanted immediately after his visit, contravening BUET’s longstanding commitment to maintaining a non-political campus environment.
During the press briefing, the students emphasised that the hard-won apolitical status of BUET was achieved at great cost. They referenced the tragic deaths of Abrar Fahad and Sabekunnahar Soni, two distinguished and patriotic students, whose sacrifices were a stark reminder of the dangers of student political involvement. The students argued that political activity within academic institutions not only risks lives but also disrupts education and career prospects, undermining the core purpose of higher learning.
The students’ statement highlighted their unwavering dedication to preserving the apolitical nature of BUET. They insisted that in a premier institution such as BUET, students’ identities should centre solely on scholarship and research rather than political affiliation. The campus, they declared, should remain a safe environment for knowledge creation, academic research, and the cultivation of humanistic values, rather than a stage for political mobilisation.
They concluded by unequivocally rejecting any political activities by parties or individuals on campus and reaffirmed their commitment to keeping BUET free from political influence in the future.
Key Details of the Protest
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) |
| Location | BUET Shahid Minar, Dhaka |
| Time of Protest | Around 1:00 a.m., Wednesday |
| Cause | Alleged chanting of political slogans after prayers |
| Individual Involved | Nasiruddin Patwari, former Dhaka-8 parliamentary candidate |
| Campus Policy | Committed to maintaining a politically neutral environment |
| Historical Context | Deaths of Abrar Fahad and Sabekunnahar Soni, highlighting risks of political activity |
| Students’ Stance | Strong opposition to any political activity; pledge to maintain apolitical campus |
The protest underscores a broader concern among BUET students about preserving a safe, scholarly environment that prioritises education and research over political agendas.
