Shibir President Alleges: ‘Ganaroom Culture’ Returning to EB Campus

Mahmudul Hasan, President of the Islamic University (IB), has alleged that efforts are being made to bring back the ‘Ganaroom Culture’ and ‘Guestroom Culture’ at the Islamic University (IB). He claims that a certain group in the university is trying to reintroduce such an immoral culture and some vice-chancellors are also cooperating in this.

He made these allegations during the president’s speech at a rally organized by the Islamic University Shibir on Saturday (October 18) afternoon to demand a five-point solution, including the trial of Sajid’s murder.

Mahmudul Hasan said, “A certain group is trying to bring back the ‘Ganaroom Culture’ and ‘Guestroom Culture’ like during the Awami League regime. In no way will the university halls be handed over to terrorists. If such an attempt is made, ordinary students will resist it unitedly.”

He further said, “Even though 93 days have passed since the murder of EB student Sajid, the administration has not yet been able to identify or arrest the killers. This is a failure not only of the university administration but also of the current interim government. If Sajid’s killers are not arrested and brought to justice as soon as possible, we will be forced to shut down the university and launch a strict program.”

Regarding the student union elections, he said, “The Islamic University Central Student Union (ICUSU) is not organizing the elections on the pretext of the Administrative Law. However, Begum Rokeya and Jagannath University are already moving towards the elections by passing their student union laws. Although the EB administration had assured to finalize the policy by October 15, no action was taken till the 18th. If further delay is made, the students will give a befitting reply.”

Regarding the teacher crisis, the Shibir president said, “In many departments of the university, 5 to 7 batches are running, but there are only two teachers. This is seriously hampering the quality of education. Teachers must be appointed immediately on the basis of merit and fairness.”

He further alleged that the construction of the halls under construction of the university, which were tendered in 2018, has not been completed even in 2025. This has led to the students' housing crisis reaching its peak. "We demand that the construction of all the halls be completed within the current year and seats be distributed to the students on the basis of merit," said Mahmudul Hasan.

The organization raised five demands at the rally - speedy trial of Sajid's murder, publication of IKSUR's policy and roadmap, introduction of digital payments, opening of the halls under construction this year, and appointment of teachers on the basis of merit and transparency. They warned that if the digital payment system is not introduced within seven days, the administration will be paralyzed.

Earlier, a protest march started from Battala at around 1:30 pm. The procession circled various roads of the campus and returned to Battala to join the rally.

The students present in the procession raised various slogans—
“My brother is in the grave, why is the murderer outside,”
“Speed ​​up the investigation into Sajid’s murder,”
“Open the halls, end the suffering,”
“Announce the date of IXUR,”
“Let digital payments be introduced, end the suffering,”
“Recruitment will be transparent, teachers will be skilled,”
“Talent and transparency, we want fairness in recruitment,” etc.

In addition to EB Shibir President Mahmudul Hasan, the organization’s Secretary Yusuf Ali, Office Secretary Rashedul Islam Rafi, Finance Secretary Sheikh Al Amin, Publicity Secretary Absar Nabi Hamza, Skill Development Secretary Hasanul Banna and more than five hundred leaders and activists were present at the rally.

MNBD/Tanim Tanvir