Bangladesh Textile University (BUTEX) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Shah Alimuzzaman’s evil intention to stop anti-discrimination student movement has been revealed.
During the student movement, the BUTEX vice-chancellor held a meeting on August 3 with the senior teachers, 4-5 members of alumni associations and the leaders of the officers and employees' associations.
The Bangladesh Post has obtained a 40-minute audio recording of the meeting in which plans were made allegedly to sabotage the student movement.
In the audio clip, the BUTEX VC said, "Strict action will be taken if anyone from their university joins the movement. We support reforms, but not the students' single demand. He noted, ‘I was with the Awami League when many of you were not born.’ Teachers and staff will hold a peace rally under separate banners on August 4."
The leaked audio clip also revealed that Prof Alimuzzaman told the meeting that “Previous BUTEX VCs did not support Sheikh Hasina. They were dishonest. The university will remain aligned with the Awami League and will not become a venue for other parties.”
Masudur Rahman, a member of BUTEX Alumni and Vice-president of Bangabandhu Textile Engineers, was present and stated that strict action would be taken against protesters.
According to the leaked audio clip, the those present in the meeting said that no one from BNP-Jamaat will be appointed as a teacher in Butex regardless of whether he/she secures first, second, third, or whatever position on merit list. It will be strictly monitored. Shafiqur Rahman, member of BUTEX Alamani and president of the Institute of Textile Engineers, said, ''Even if BNP comes to power, they will not have the courage to speak in front of us.''
During the student movement, a student named Utsab Pal was mentioned as dead in a Facebook post due to the controversial activities of the BUTEX VC and so the meeting to find that student. It was also suggested in the meeting that those who have made the profile red on Facebook will be kept under surveillance.
According to the leaked audio, it was decided in the meeting that those who are against the Awami League will be removed from their posts or from the BUTEX. Screenshots of those who have posted anti-government status are taken for further action.
Investigation conducted by the Bangladesh Post finds BUTEX VC handed over Tk 120,000 to Tarikul Islam Tipu, president of the Chhatra League of the university, and Mirazul Islam Miran, acting general secretary, to stop the student movement on August 1. It is also known that the VC himself handed over the names of 14 teachers who participated in the human chain and 'March for Justice' to the home minister and the intelligence agencies. It has also been confirmed by reliable sources that the names of 36 students who participated in the movement were handed over by the VC to the former Home Minister, the police stations and intelligence agencies.
Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not be reached over phone for his comments on Friday.
When contacted, Shafiqul Islam, Assistant Director of Butex's Public Relations Department, said a meeting was organised in the VC 's room led by Prof Alimuzzaman. Some 4-5 members of the university's alumni association, who are all involved in Awami League politics, were present in the meeting. It was decided that the next day, August 4, the teachers, staff, and alumni members of the university will take a strict stand against the movement.
He also said that without any discussion, the VC was given the responsibility to withdraw money from the fund of the university for distribution among media outlets for publishing news. But he didn't spend the money.
