Two Principals at One College Spark Student Protest

Students have been protesting at Mohammadpur Central College in Dhaka over the appointment of two people as principals. The protest began on Thursday morning, with students confronting retired Lieutenant Colonel Shahidul Hasan, who was appointed principal by the college governing body.

Police have been deployed in front of the college to control the situation.

A teacher at the college, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the governing body appointed Shahidul Hasan as principal for one year on June 1. Later, in August, the Ministry of Education appointed Sufia Khatun as principal and sent her to the college on deputation.

The situation became complicated after Shahidul Hasan did not hand over charge.

Shahidul Hasan said he was also embarrassed by the situation. He said he had spoken several times with Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation and a member of the governing body.

“I have informed him about the students’ protest,” Shahidul Hasan said.

He added that he had not yet received any decision regarding his departure from the college. “If I receive one, I will leave,” he said.

Sufia Khatun said she came to the college after being assigned the responsibility of principal under government instructions. However, she said she was not being handed over charge due to various excuses.

She urged the relevant authorities to resolve the issue quickly.

During the protest, students chanted several slogans, including “We do not accept the illegal principal, we do not accept,” and “Awami League agent, be warned, be careful.”

Student protester Rahmatullah said the governing body's decision had included a condition that the contract would be cancelled if the government appointed someone to the post.

According to him, Shahidul Hasan’s contract was therefore cancelled. However, he said Shahidul Hasan had not left the college.

“We are facing a major problem, as the two principals are sitting in the same room,” Rahmatullah said. “They are also participating in various events. Something needs to be done to resolve this situation.”

Amid the dispute, the two principals, student representatives, teachers and a parent representative held a meeting after 11:00 am on Thursday.

The meeting decided to convene a governing body meeting next Sunday. The complications surrounding the responsibilities of the principal will be discussed at that meeting.