The vice-chancellor of Rajshahi Medical University (RMU) Prof Md Jawadul Haque, and a section officer of the university’s finance department were allegedly forced to sign resignation and release-from-service applications on Tuesday.
The incident took place around 11:30am when a group of 40 to 50 people allegedly entered the vice-chancellor’s office and demanded his resignation, witnesses said.
According to witnesses, the group later pressured the VC into signing a resignation letter. A similar release-from-service application was allegedly obtained from Finance Department Section Officer Md Nazmul Hossain.
Prof Jawadul Haque said a group of 40 to 50 people entered his office, took away his mobile phone and pressured him to sign a document.
“I signed it out of fear and to protect myself. I did not even have the courage to read what was written on the paper,” he said.
He said the group later took him out of the university premises. He also said he had informed the health minister and relevant authorities about the incident.
The resignation letter, submitted on the university’s official letterhead, mentioned that Prof Jawadul had been serving as RMU vice-chancellor since 10 September 2024, but was unable to continue in the post due to personal and family reasons. It requested the President and the Ministry of Public Administration to accept his resignation.
Meanwhile, Nazmul Hossain’s application to the university registrar said he had been working at RMU since 2018 and sought release from service citing personal and family reasons.
However, Nazmul later alleged that he was forced to sign the application.
“I was forced to sign it and was assaulted at the time. The buttons of my shirt were torn,” he said.
He further alleged that the CPU of a computer and the hard disk containing CCTV footage were taken from the VC’s office. The university’s electricity supply was also disconnected, he claimed.
Witnesses said a group had gathered on the campus earlier, demanding the resignation of the VC and the finance department official over alleged irregularities.
The group later went to their offices and allegedly pressured them to resign. They left the campus after obtaining the resignation and release applications within seven to eight minutes, witnesses said. Police arrived later.
Some witnesses alleged that leaders, activists and supporters of various affiliated organisations of a political party were among those who pressured the officials.
Rajpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam Azad said police went to the university after receiving information about the incident but found no one there.
“Legal action will be taken if we receive a complaint,” he said.
The incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the VC and the release application submitted by the section officer. An investigation is needed to determine whether the documents were signed voluntarily or under pressure.
