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Published : 24 Aug 2016, 09:21 PM
The committee to investigate the matter is apparently yet to start work nearly two months after the incident.
Rahman, now on leave, has joined the university’s Student Guidance and Counselling Service Office, where he had been before becoming the acting registrar.
Rahman was responsible for the publication of the souvenir to mark the university’s 95th founding anniversary on July 1.
An article appearing in the souvenir on the halls of the university mentioned that “Zia was Bangladesh’s first president, a former military chief and valiant freedom fighter”.
The article read, “Ziaur Rahman became the president of Bangladesh on Apr 21, 1977 after the Liberation War and was killed in a military coup on May 30, 1981.”
It described first President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as “one of the main leaders of Bangladesh (who) was at the forefront in the struggle to carve out Bangladesh from East Pakistan and is considered the Father of the Nation.”
A speaker at a discussion on Dhaka University Day at the TSC brought the issue to everyone’s notice, triggering protests by activists of the ruling Awami League’s student front Bangladesh Chhatra League and general students.
Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique suspended the discussion immediately and announced the ‘confiscation’ of the souvenir copies. He also announced removal of Rahman.
The agitators, however, were not to be pacified. They vandalised VC Siddique’s car and laid siege to his residence.
They called off the protest after the authorities promised investigation and action against those responsible for the distortion of history.
The university’s Syndicate formed a five-member investigation committee headed by Treasurer KamaL Uddin on July 21.
Asked about progress in the investigation, Kamal told bdnews24.com on Wednesday that the committee will convene ‘very soon’.
“We are collecting information and data. I was abroad for some days. Another member is abroad now. But we can sit in his absence,” he said.
About Rahman retaining job in the university, Student Guidance and Counselling Service Office Director Shaheen Islam said, “His (Rahman’s) duty of acting registrar was additional duty, so it is natural his job here is restored after he was relived of that duty.”
“There is nothing to join here. Now he is on leave,” he added.
Enamuzzaman, who is stand-in registrar now, said Rahman has applied for extended leave.
VC Siddique also confirmed that Rahman joined his previous office and was on leave.
About the investigation, he said, “The investigation committee is taking time to collect information. The committee chief was abroad for some days. Now we will see to it after the investigation.”
Rahman was appointed acting registrar in 2007 when SMA Faiz was the vice-chancellor. Faiz was appointed during the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government’s tenure.
Rahman was Teacher-Student Centre’s deputy director beforehand.
Siddique was appointed VC on Jan 15, 2009 after the Awami League came to power. He put his trust on Rahman for the acting registrar’s job.
