Dhaka University teacher accused of ‘making snide remarks’ about Bangabandhu

A Dhaka University teacher is facing protests and criticism from colleagues for what they say his disparaging remarks ‘belittling’ Bangabandhu in a newspaper article.

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association has issued a statement demanding punishment of marketing department’s Professor Dr Morshed Hasan Khan. Bangladesh Chhatra League or BCL demonstrated on the campus on Tuesday declaring him 'persona non-grata' on the campus.

BCL is the student affiliate of the ruling Awami League.

On Monday, Bangla daily Naya Diganta published the article titled ‘Jyotirmoy Zia’ (radiant Zia) highlighting Major General Ziaur Rahman's contribution to Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day. Slain president Zia is considered as the country's first military dictator.

“Most of the Awami League leaders and their families went to India, leaving the people of the country leaderless in a death trap; even Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was at the centre of their dreams did the same,” Prof Khan wrote.

“The proclamation of independence came after Mujib had been arrested, not before that. As far as I know, he never proclaimed independence,” he added. 

The BNP, formed by Zia, claims he is the proclaimer of independence. The issue of the proclamation of independence was such a contesting issue that the court had to settle the debate by declaring that Bangabandhu proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh.

Ganajagaran Mancha, a platform of activists demanding capital punishment of war criminals, has accused Naya Diganta of being backed by the BNP’s key ally the Jamaat-e-Islami for the Jamaat opposed Bangladesh’s independence during the Liberation War. The Shahbagh-based activists demanded the closure of the newspaper.

The Father of the Nation effectively proclaimed independence in his historic Mar 7, 1971, speech. The official proclamation of independence was also read out on his behalf before the Liberation War started on Mar 26.

DUTA said in its statement the article by Prof Khan was a serious attempt at the distortion of the history of Liberation War.

The association condemned the article and protested against false information on Bangabandhu’s regime.    

It said ‘such audacious’ comments were a ‘serious violation’ of the constitutional recognition of the Liberation War.

“It is similar to questioning Bangladesh’s existence,” the teachers’ association said.

BCL President Jakir Hossain told the rally they believed the authorities would act against Prof Khan.

“We are declaring him a persona non-grata on the campus,” he said.

The BCL would also submit a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Aktaruzzaman on Wednesday, he said.

Prof Khan could not be reached for comments.