Jagannath University, Jul 30 (UNB): Using satire to shine a light on the silent role of many teachers during the students' quota reform movement, Jagannath University (JnU) students issued a satirical job posting, calling for 'teachers with spines' to replace those who failed to stand by the students even as hundreds were killed.
 
The JnU students in their endeavour follow in the footsteps of their fellows at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet and Jahangirnagar University in Savar.
 
The backlash intensified after teachers from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University came out and expressed solidarity with the protesting students on Tuesday, highlighting the continued silence of JnU teachers that already prompted a surge of criticism on social media.
 
On Tuesday, a student named Sabbir Rahman posted a picture on Facebook of Jahangirnagar University teachers wearing red clothes on their foreheads and mouths, captioning it with praise for them as "true teachers." In contrast, he wished for the spiritual forgiveness of all "spineless" teachers at Jagannath University.
 
Another student, Naima Akter Rita, wrote, "I despise any teacher, intellectual, poet, or clerk who does not openly seek justice for this killing."
 
Taimur Mubin, a student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, wrote, "I pray for the spiritual forgiveness of the teachers at my university."
 
Ishrat Zerin Payel, another student, questioned whether the teachers who previously claimed to be student-friendly could meet their eyes when the campus reopens.
 
Meanwhile, frustrated students created a mock 'emergency recruitment notice' using the university's official letterhead, humorously stating that an urgent meeting of the syndicate decided to recruit teachers with spines. The notice read, "Due to the insufficient number of spine-bearing, student-friendly teachers, we urgently need such teachers. A lower CGPA is acceptable, but they must have a conscience and a spine."
 
Regarding this matter, Sheikh Mashrik Hasan, General Secretary of the Teachers' Association, said, "I am aware that many teachers have personally spoken out in support of the students. We support the demands of the protesting students. I believe their primary demand has already been met, and their other demands are being addressed. Therefore, the movement should be concluded. Moreover, the Teachers' Association will stand by the injured and legally-troubled students."
 
Professor Dr. Md. Momin Uddin, Acting President of the Teachers' Association, commented, "At DU and JU, teachers conducted silent protests on their own initiative. Before organizing such programs, the Teachers' Association needs to hold a meeting for approval. However, we have no objection if any teacher at Jagannath University conducts such initiatives personally."
 
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