Dhaka University creates Trust Fund after former controversial VC Anwarullah's name, upsets many

The Dhaka University has created a Trust Fund in the name of former Vice-Chancellor Anwarullah Chowdhury who had to step down 12 years ago in the face of a student agitation.

The agitation was sparked off by torture of women students in Shamsunnahar Hall.

These students who then agitated to force Prof Chowdhury to step down are now upset with the decision in having a Trust fund named after such a controversial vice-chancellor.

"For all students of Dhaka University, especially those who agitated against this controversial VC , this decision to have a Trust Fund named after him is a matter of shame," Manabendra Deb, a former president of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, toldbdnews24.com.

"Students now must know what happened twelve years ago and then decide whether they will take any awards given by this Trust."

"This is a very wrong decision. No Trust should have been set up in the name of such a controversial person,” said Monira Yasmin, a former student involved with the anti-Anwarullah movement in 2003.

"History spares none,” she warned.

The Dhaka University strangely created the Trust Fund in Anwarullah's name on Aug 2. The announcement was made on Aug 15 in 'Dhaka University Barta’.

It said Tk 600,000 was handed over for creating the Trust fund to the university by Anwarullah's son, Mitul Anwar Chowdhury.

‘Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury Gold Medal’ will be presented with cash rewards to two students securing highest marks in BSS (Honours) and MA in Anthropology from the income of the Trust.

Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique told bdnews24.com the decision was taken 'in keeping with the desire' of the teachers of Anthropology.

“He (Anwarullah) is controversial, but this decision to name the Trust after him was influenced by the teachers of Anthropology," Siddique said.

In 2003, the movement to throw out illegal pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal occupants from the halls was started by the girl students of the university.

Policemen and Chhatra Dal activists attacked the girls who were agitating in presence of several university officials on July 2, 2003.

VC Anwarullah Chowdhury faced huge criticism at that time for failing to take robust measures against 'police torture'.

Students blaming him staged huge protests demanding his resignation that finally forced him to stand down.