DU takes U-turn on outsider issue
Dhaka University (DU) authorities on Wednesday claimed that it never said ‘outsiders’ were not allowed to the campus, and blamed the media for misrepresenting concerned comments.
Taking a U-turn after two days of imposing a restriction to outsiders in entering the university campus without permission of the concerned authority, DU authority issued a fresh press release which said it did not say that outsiders were prohibited on the campus.
It also requested the media not to ‘incite evil forces’ by ‘misleading’ information. DU authority drew severe criticism over its previous decision which stated that it would not allow “outsiders” to roam or stay on the campus.
Such decision sparked mass outcry on social media with people pointing at the fact that these public institutions are being run with tax money paid by the outsiders.
Two days ago, DU authority had imposed restriction on outsiders to roam or stay on the university campus without permission from Proctor and provosts of the dormitories.
In that circular, it had stated that the parents or guests also cannot stay at dormitories without permission; and that the authorities would seek the help of law enforcement agencies to root out outsiders on the campus.
In Wednesday’s press release, DU ruled out that the university ever banned ‘outsiders’ and skipped the part where it said would seek the help of law enforcers.
It said, “There are security guards always stationed at the gates. Sometimes the university needs to guide them to develop their skills further and execute their responsibilities effectively. Our current steps are part of such initiatives.”
DU VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman on Tuesday said university authorities would soon set security check-post at every entrance point of the university to restrict outsiders from entering the campus in a bid to avoid tension on the university premises.
He has even went on to compare the quota reformists to militant outfits like Taliban initially, for which he later sought apology by saying he didn’t compare students with militants, rather their work was like militants’ activities.
