Rajshahi Medical University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jawadul Haque was allegedly forced to resign and removed from his office after a group of local contractors and outsiders created a mob on the university premises on Tuesday.
The incident took place at around 11.30am on 6 October at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Dr Haque said a group of people suddenly entered his office and confronted him over allegations concerning the awarding of university work to contractors from Dhaka instead of local contractors.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, some of those involved were local contractors and outsiders who had political backing. During the confrontation, they reportedly raised slogans against him and described him as an ‘Awami League stooge’.
The situation subsequently escalated, with the group allegedly putting pressure on Dr Haque to sign a resignation letter. He said his signature was obtained against his will. After that, he was forced to leave his office, which was then locked.
Dr Haque has informed the local administration about the incident, according to his account.
The allegation that university contracts were being awarded to Dhaka-based contractors rather than local firms appears to have been at the centre of the confrontation. However, no independent verification of the contracting allegations was immediately available, and the identities and specific roles of all those involved in the incident were not immediately clear.
The episode has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation and the manner in which the dispute was handled. A university administration normally relies on established procedures for addressing disputes over procurement, contracting and institutional decisions. The use of collective pressure inside an administrative office, if established, could create concerns about the functioning of the institution and the security of its officials.
Another key issue is the status of the resignation letter. Since Dr Haque has alleged that he was compelled to sign it, questions may arise over whether the document represents a voluntary resignation and how the authorities will treat it administratively.
The incident also comes at a time when disputes over institutional decisions can quickly develop into confrontations when multiple groups become involved. Any formal investigation into the episode would need to establish how the group entered the office, what demands were made, how the resignation letter was obtained and who was responsible for locking the office.
As of Tuesday, no detailed statement from the local administration regarding the incident had been reported. Further clarification from the authorities and the university administration is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding Dr Haque’s departure and the next steps for Rajshahi Medical University.
