The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

Students of Folklore Department of Rajshahi University (RU) on Tuesday boycotted their schedule classes and examinations demanding immediate include their department in social science faculty.

The agitating students also locked their classrooms and staged sit-in demonstration four hour in front of fourth arts building premises to press home their one point demand.

During the sit-in demonstration, the agitating students also present protest songs and chanting various slogans in favour of their demand.

'As an arts faculty department student, we cannot get job or others opportunity in jobs market', said Ali Asgor Khokon, a 4th year student.

We demanded immediate include our department in social science faculty and issue our certificate under social science faculty, said Rita khatun, another student of the department.

Following the agitating students demonstration, department chairman held an emergency academic committee meeting where department chairman Prof Dr Shohidur Rahman in the chair.

Department academic committee also expressed solidarity with the students demand and write an application to the arts faculty dean mentioned that department teachers and students jointly want to include in social science faculty. The also mentioned that folklore department certificate will be issued under social science faculty like BSS and MSS.

The department chairman also sends the academic committee decision to arts faculty dean, social science faculty dean, RU VC office and registrar and requested to take necessary steps in this regard.

Later the agitating students withdraw their sit-in demonstration after assurance of department chairman and academic committee decision.

The agitating students also threatened to call student strike on the campus if their demand was not met. When contacted department chairman Prof Dr Shohidur Rahman he confirm the report and said The New Nation that we also expressed solidarity with the students demand.

When contacted Social Science faculty dean Prof Sadekul Islam, he told newsman that if their curriculum is similar like social science then there was no problem to include social science faculty.

After approve academic council, RU syndicate will finally approve after discussion, he also said.

Prof Muhammad Shafi, dean of arts faculty also acting registrar of RU told newsman that it was a important matter, after discuss academic council we will take decision.