PABNA, July 30 (V7N) – Leaders and activists of Inqilab Mancha staged a protest at Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) after the university administration stopped their planned programme on the July uprising and a prayer session for the deceased.
The programme, scheduled for Wednesday (July 29), was organised by the PUST unit of Inqilab Mancha. The event was expected to be attended as the chief guest by Abdullah Al Jaber, convener of the organisation’s central committee.
University authorities did not allow the programme to take place, citing that permission had not been obtained for Abdullah Al Jaber’s entry into the campus.
Following the decision, Inqilab Mancha activists held an immediate protest rally on the campus at around 4:00pm. The rally was attended by central convener Abdullah Al Jaber, central committee members including actor Asaduzzaman Asad, Masudur Rahman Adnan, Habibullah Mezbah, Abu Omair, former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Pabna district unit Barkatullah Fahad, former spokesperson Sirajjum Munira, PUST unit Convener Majnu Alam, and Member Secretary Ibrahim Khalil, among others.
Inqilab Mancha leaders alleged that the university administration had initially given verbal approval for the programme and that they later submitted a written application. However, they claimed that shortly before the event, the university proctor informed them that the programme would not be allowed due to objections from higher authorities regarding Abdullah Al Jaber’s presence.
Majnu Alam, convener of the PUST unit of Inqilab Mancha, said the administration was aware of Jaber’s planned attendance and had verbally approved the event. He alleged that despite submitting an application, the written permission was withheld at the final stage.
However, PUST Proctor Professor Dr Kamruzzaman Khan denied the allegation, saying that Inqilab Mancha had not submitted any written application to the university administration. He said students could organise programmes involving university students, including those injured during the July movement, but bringing an outside guest from another organisation required prior approval, which was not obtained.
Speaking at the protest, Abdullah Al Jaber criticised the decision and said attempts to suppress programmes related to the July uprising would not be accepted.
The university administration and Inqilab Mancha leaders presented different accounts regarding the permission process, while the issue has drawn attention on the campus.
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