Professor Aynul Islam of the Economics Department has resigned from his position as the dean of Faculty of Social Sciences at Jagannath University (JnU) following days of student protests regarding his alleged affiliations with Awami League.
On Sunday, Aynul Islam submitted his resignation letter to the Vice-Chancellor, citing personal reasons. On the same day, Professor Shaoli Mahbub of the Department of Anthropology was appointed as the new Dean.
Confirming his resignation, Aynul said, “It is not possible to perform duties as a dean in such an uncomfortable situation. Therefore, I have resigned”. When asked whether he had been forced to step down, he declined to comment further, adding that the matter be discussed with the Vice-Chancellor.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rais Uddin, confirmed that Aynul Islam submitted his resignation citing personal reasons, adding that it has been forwarded to the relevant department for necessary action.
Aynul was appointed as the dean of Faculty of Social Sciences via a notification signed by the acting registrar, Professor Md Sheikh Gias Uddin, on 7 July. He officially assumed his responsibilities on 12 July.
However, just five days into his tenure last Thursday, a group of students removed him from his office in the Economics Department. The protesters included leaders and activists from the university units of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, as well as students from various departments.
The protesting students alleged that during the July 2024 mass uprising, Aynul participated in a meeting at Ganabhaban as part of a delegation of pro-Awami League teachers. They further claimed he took part in a human chain organised under the banner of “Blue Panel” (Neel Dol) the following day.
Students had been protesting his appointment based on these allegations.
Aynul Islam has previously held several key positions at Jagannath University, including acting registrar, president of Teachers’ Association, and president of Blue Panel. During the July mass uprising, while serving as acting registrar, he was forced to resign from that post on 11 August last year due to student demonstrations.
