NU VC attacked over auto pass demand

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah was attacked yesterday allegedly by a group of students demanding automatic passes in their 2022 Degree (Pass) examinations.

The incident took place around noon in front of the university's administrative building in Gazipur, as the VC was getting out of his car, said Md Mostafizur Rahman, acting director of the NU Public Relations Department.

Protesters surrounded the VC and began shouting slogans demanding auto-passes. Amid the chaos, some "criminals posing as students" attempted to assault him, he said in a press release, adding that he sustained minor injuries.

According to the statement, the university had already granted grace marks to this batch of students, taking into account the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing political unrest. Students were also given the opportunity to apply for re-evaluation of their answer sheets, with the results expected later this month.

"Despite these measures, some of the students who failed the exam began demanding auto-passes and suddenly launched this heinous attack on the vice-chancellor," the press release said.

The university reiterated that it will not, under any circumstances, grant auto-passes to any batch and has begun steps to identify those involved in the attack.

It also plans to file a case with the Gachha Police Station, the release added.

Gachha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ali Mohammad Rashed told The Daily Star that some students yesterday protested in front of the university, demanding auto-passes.

"We have not yet received any official complaint regarding the attack. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed," he said.