DHAKA, July 22: The academic council of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) stunned virtually everyone on Saturday by unanimously slapping ban on political activities within the campus.

A council member said: “From now on, no one will be allowed to paste posters on the wall or display political banners in the campus.”

Student politics in educational institutions has always been considered sacrosanct in Bangladesh. But the BUET’s decision has been hailed by people from all walks of life.

However, the major political parties and their student organizations have protested the decision. Even leaders of the ruling BNP’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (BCD), has protested over the government’s decision.

The decision came after a gunfight on the campus on June 8 in which a female student was killed.