FROM PAGE 12

universities, practices of renaming academic buildings and student halls opened new avenues for attacks on dissent.

The network reported that progressive teachers at private universities like Uttara University and the University of Asia Pacific, who had joined the July protests, were also targeted.

The statement also said some student union leaders played a role in attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, while calls for assaults on cultural groups like Udichi and Chhayanaut reportedly came from elected student leaders at Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar universities.

Rajshahi University Prof Kazi Mamun Haidar, joining virtually, said fear and intimidation returned to campus when a former student leader of the now‑banned Chhatra League was killed by a mob in September 2024.

He added that while building and hall names were changed, no academic reforms followed.

Khulna University Prof Abdullah Harun Chowdhury noted that “personal or narrow interests drive everything”, and a neutral university administration, backed by impartial government support, could solve many problems.

Jahangirnagar University Assistant Professor Dhiman Sarkar observed that if anyone goes against a certain ideology, bot attacks begin. “Online mobs are being created and then brought into real life.”

DU Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan reflected on his experience as a member of the University Grants Commission during the interim government.

“I have witnessed firsthand how dishonest those who always speak of integrity can be. At RU, CU, and NSTU, written exams [for teacher recruitment] were nothing but a farce.”

Tanzimuddin added that under the interim government, vice‑chancellor posts were divided among political groups. “Some were praised for lengthy CVs, but once in office, many recruited teachers in ways worse than during the Awami League era.”