The ongoing shutdown at Rajshahi University (RU), called in protest over the reported humiliation of faculty members, has been suspended for seven working days following assurances from the university administration. The Officers’ Association announced that if their demands are not implemented within this period, they will launch a larger movement in collaboration with other bodies.

The announcement was made through a joint press release issued on Wednesday (September 24) at 1:00 p.m. by the association’s president, Md. Moktar Hossain, and treasurer, Md. Masud Rana.

According to the statement, an emergency meeting was held earlier in the day at 11:00 a.m. in the office of the Officers’ Association. The meeting included representatives from the Assistants’ Association, the General Staff Association, and the Transport Workers’ Association. Discussions centered around the progress of talks held the previous day between the Officers’ Association and the RU administration regarding the fulfillment of their demands.

On September 23 at noon, the Officers’ Association had engaged in a bilateral dialogue with the university authorities. During that discussion, RU officials assured them that the demands raised would be addressed without delay. Based on this commitment, the Officers’ Association declared the suspension of the shutdown beginning at 1:00 p.m. on September 24.

The press release stressed, however, that the suspension is conditional. If the administration fails to implement the agreed measures within seven working days, the association, alongside allied groups, will initiate a broader movement to press their case. The warning leaves open the possibility of escalating protests if grievances are not resolved promptly.

The shutdown, which had disrupted academic and administrative activities at the university, was initiated after faculty members were reportedly subjected to mistreatment. The Officers’ Association, supported by several staff organizations, demanded accountability and concrete actions from the university leadership to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meetings over the past two days have aimed at breaking the deadlock. While the assurances from the administration prompted the temporary withdrawal of the strike, union leaders indicated they would closely monitor developments. Any perceived delay or negligence in addressing their demands could reignite unrest on campus.

The demands include measures to ensure the dignity and safety of teachers and staff, along with broader administrative reforms. While details of the commitments made by the administration were not fully disclosed in the statement, union leaders insisted that time-bound implementation was necessary to restore trust and normalcy.

Observers note that the situation at Rajshahi University reflects broader tensions within public universities in Bangladesh, where conflicts between staff bodies and administrations occasionally disrupt academic life. The latest standoff has once again highlighted issues of governance, accountability, and workplace respect in higher education institutions.

For now, academic and administrative functions at RU are expected to resume as normal, pending further developments over the next week. Students, many of whom had been affected by the disruption, expressed cautious optimism following the suspension announcement, though uncertainty remains about the long-term outcome.

The Officers’ Association concluded its press release with a firm reminder: “If our demands are not met within the stipulated time, we will have no choice but to unite with all concerned parties and undertake a larger program.”