The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

The Students of Folklore Department of Rajshahi University (RU) on Monday locked department chairman, teachers and office rooms as the university authorities did not includetheir department under social science faculty. The students also organised a human chain in front RU central library demanding on same.

Earlier, the agitating students boycotted their scheduled classes and examinations demanding the same. Sources said, on Sunday an arts faculty meeting was held at dean complex to discuss folklore department inclusion in social science faculty where arts faculty dean Prof Muhammad Shafi in the chair. Sources said, during the faculty meeting, department teachers failed to encourage faculty members and did not present logical ground to include the department under social science faculty.

Later, the faculty member requested the folklore department teachers to discuss the issue in next faculty meeting, sources also said. Hearing the news, hundreds of students staged a demonstration in front of the department and demanded immediate inclusion of their department under social science faculty. The agitating students later locked department chairman office and department office rooms as the department teachers failed to manage faculty members. At a rally, students also alleged that as students of a department under the arts faculty they get few opportunities in the job market. They threatened to go on a hunger strike if their demand is not meet.

Earlier, the agitating students demonstrated on the department premises before the faculty meeting to press home their demand. A teacher of the department told the New Nation that department teachers presented the students demand and logical ground in front of faculty members properly.

When contacted, Department Chairman Prof. Dr Shahidur Rahman, he did not express any comment. When contacted RU registrar Prof. Mohammad Safi, he said considering the teachers-students demand and course curriculum of the department we will take our proper decision.