Barisal University Department Chair Resigns Following Student Hunger Strike Over Alleged Misconduct
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Hafiz Ashraful Haque, the chairman of the Coastal Studies and Disaster Management department at Barisal University, has resigned following intense protests by students. The resignation late Monday night prompted the students to call off their hunger strike, which had entered its second day.
Students began their demonstrations on Sunday, accusing Haque of academic misconduct, including autocracy, failing to conduct assigned classes, and awarding grades based on personal favoritism rather than academic performance. The protesters had previously locked the chairman’s office and declared him persona non grata on campus.
The situation escalated on Monday when more than 100 students initiated an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The strike concluded at approximately 10:00 p.m. after university officials confirmed Haque’s resignation.
While the immediate demand for his resignation has been met, the students have stipulated further conditions. They have demanded that Haque be barred from conducting any classes or examinations and have given the university administration a one-month deadline to remove him from the department entirely.
Student representative Naimur Rahman stated that the protesters have suspended their action based on the administration’s assurance regarding the resignation and the restriction on Haque’s academic duties. He warned that if the university fails to remove Haque from the department within the next month, the students will resume their protest.
Haque confirmed his resignation to the media at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Monday. University Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Mamun-or-Rashid could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts to contact him via telephone.
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