Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) staged an unconventional protest on the seventh day of their movement against appointment of a new vice-chancellor by screening the film “Bonolata Express” on a large screen at the university’s main gate.
The screening commenced at 6:15pm on Monday with students gathering in front of the gate to watch movie while maintaining their blockade.
“Complete Shutdown” has been enforced at Cuet since 22 September, demanding the reinstatement of Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
As a consequence, all regular academic activities, including classes, examinations, and laboratory work, remain suspended. Amidst the ongoing shutdown, students have been organising a sequence of creative programmes to voice their demands.
Srabonti Das, a third-year student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: “We are staying in front of the gate at all times so that the new VC cannot enter. But even after seven days, he has not arrived.”
“We were getting quite annoyed while waiting. Therefore, waiting while watching a movie feels very good. On one hand, we are enjoying a good time watching the film, and on the other, the gate is being guarded,” she added.
Students said these activities are intended not merely as protests, but as a creative effort to articulate their demands through diverse media.
They emphasised that whether through processions, graffiti, cricket, or cinema, the core objective remains the reinstatement of Professor Sayem.
Earlier, a “56-Ball Short Pitch Cricket Tournament” was organised at the main gate to symbolically mark Professor Sayem’s 56-day tenure as vice-chancellor.
On various other days of the movement, students were observed playing guitars, playing cards, and playing online football games on laptops.
In the afternoon, a programme titled “Sweto Sharir Gono Shakshyo” [Mass Testimony on a White Sari] was held.
During the event, students used paintbrushes and markers to depict key events and accomplishments from Professor Sayem’s tenure on a white sari, whilst also drawing his portrait.
