Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Sunday formed a human chain demanding protection of the dignity of the veterinary profession, professional rights and implementation of their three-point demand.
Bangladesh Veterinary Students Welfare Association organised the programme in front of the university’s Central Library on September 20 as part of a simultaneous peaceful human chain programme at different campuses across the country. Around 50 students of the Faculty of Veterinary Science took part in the programme.
The students said the authorities should clearly define the scope of promotion and administrative responsibilities of non-veterinarians to protect the distinct identity of the veterinary profession and the dignity of the veterinary cadre structure.
They said they did not oppose any individual or group but sought effective government measures to protect their professional dignity and legitimate rights.
Student Mushfikur Rahman said the relevant authorities should take necessary steps to implement their demands. “We want the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to fulfil our demands. Our demands are logical. The government should implement its decisions quickly. If the demands are not met, we will be forced to launch tougher programmes” he said.
Tanvin Islam, a student of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, questioned the appointment of diploma holders to assistant health officer posts. “Veterinarians are health officers. So, how can diploma holders get appointed to assistant health officer posts? If a veterinarian has to work under diploma holders after years of study, it cannot be justified” he said.
BVSWA general secretary Burhan Uddin Siam placed the three demands on behalf of the students. The demands include creating four posts of veterinary surgeons in every upazila and appointing registered veterinarians to the posts appointing only registered veterinarians to the post of assistant veterinary public health officer at Grade 9 and preventing non-veterinarians from receiving promotions or appointments to positions equal to or higher than those held by registered veterinarians outside the veterinary cadre structure.
