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Rajshahi, Mar 12 (BDNEWS)- Rajshahi University (RU) teachers' politics and demotion of the mutual relation between Dr. Mia Md. Mohiuddin and Dr. Taher led to the murder of the latter.
Dr. Mia Md. Mohiuddin, a detainee accused in Dr. Taher murder case was grown up beyond his family. Selfishness became a part of his character from his childhood.
He got admitted to RU after he had completed his SSC and HSC examinations with first class and second class respectively. He was son of a maternal cousin of Selina Khatun, a retired professor of RU Geography and Environment studies department.
He used to call her 'mother' though actually she was his aunt. At one stage, he claimed ownership of her property and later the relation was broken due to his bad conduct.
RU teachers' sources said he was appointed a lecturer in the department of Geology on December 12, 1990 with the assistance of Selina Khatun and Dr. Taher. He obtained first class in honours and stood first class first in the M. Sc examination.
He completed his thesis under the supervision of Dr. Taher. His relation with Dr. Taher came to a brink after he became a teacher of the same department.
Dr. Mohiuddin had married a sister-in-law of minister Barrister Aminul Haque and began to show his domination in different areas. He became involved with BNP politics to force Dr. Taher into a corner.
After completion of the higher degree in the country, he began to non-cooperate with Dr. Taher in different areas. At the same time he also became reluctant about his departmental duties.
Dr. Taher was renowned in the RU campus as an honest, intellectual and good person. Dr. Mohiuddin was a man of the opposite mirror. Dr. Mohiuddin won a scholarship for M. Sc at a University in Belgium in 1992 with the potential favour of the department's Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan.
He returned to the country before completion of his studies from Belgium in 1994. There are allegations that he had drawn annual scholarship money through fraudulent means.
No teacher or student of RU got the scholarship in Belgium further for his misact. Despite such misact, he again was selected for studying at Japan's Sukuba University in 1994.
Dr. Abu Taher was one of the top teachers involved in mainstream pro-BNP teachers' politics in RU. Dr. Mohiuddin was connected with BNP politics with stewardship of Dr Taher. But the distance between them emerged following disagreement of Dr. Taher with Dr Mohiuddin in making several decisions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mohiuddin had built a close relation with Jamaat from under the shadow of BNP. He won the scholarship in Japan for PhD without completing his studies in Belgium with a strong lobbying with pro-Jamaat teachers.
He returned to the country after completion of PhD in 1997 and was promoted to an Assistant professor in March 30, 1998. There are also allegations of his promotion as an assistant professor beyond regulations.
The 347th syndicate meeting was held during his promotion to the assistant professor on March 30 in 1998. It was found at the meeting's decision no 32 that Dr. Mia Md Mohiuddin would need at least a couple of advanced publications of his research before his appointment is made as an assistant professor.
Such condition is an essential requirement for all other teachers. But surprisingly it was not mentioned in the appointment letter of Dr. Mohiuddin. It was learnt that he possessed such an appointment letter only with strong political influence.
Dr. Mohiuddin did not submit the research publications till after seven years had gone. Moreover, he was enjoying the facilities and privileges of an assistant professor without having his appointment confirmed.
The then Registrar of RU in 2005 drew the notice of the chairman of the Geology Department that Dr. Mohiuddin was yet to be confirmed at the post of an assistant professor as he did not submit two advanced research publications.
Though March 3, 2000 was the deadline for submission of the letter of confirmation, he submitted that on May 16, 2005. He also attempted to meet the requirement of the two research publications by submitting only one.
Dr. Taher caught the trick. A departmental planning committee meeting was held in this regard on May of 25, 2005.
It was said into the decision no 'Kha' of 2 that one of the two articles, which Dr. Mohiuddin submitted for his confirmation as assistant professor, was published in January of 1998. Meanwhile, the pro-BNP-Jamaat teachers did strong lobbying for promotion of Dr. Mohiuddin to a professor though his appointment as an assistant professor was yet to be confirmed.
He applied for promotion to a professor directly to the head of the department and also to the registrar on May 13, 2005.
Head of the department Dr. Syed Shamsuddin Ahmed on July 5, 2005 called a meeting of the departmental planning committee. Dr. Taher strictly opposed the illegitimate appointment of Dr. Mohiuddin at the meeting.
The outcome of the meeting however, said that Dr. Mohiuddin had applied for promotion to a professor to the RU authorities as well as to the Department. So, there was no scope for its consideration by the Departmental Planning Committee.
A confidential source said the Registrar of the university sent the appointment letter back to the head of the Department being directed by the pro-Vice Chancellor, as Dr. Taher was likely to disclose the matter of illegal appointment to media.
The returned application showed that he (Mohiuddin) alleged against the Planning Committee for not considering his application. Meanwhile, on August 4, 2005, a Planning Committee meeting was called, where the allegations of Dr. Mohiuddin were shown as illegal, misleading and baseless.
Dr. Taher was also present at the meeting but did not take part to any discussion, which was very unusual of his manner.
Sources said Dr. Taher had been threatened to refrain himself from opposing the appointment of Dr. Mohiuddin. A responsible teacher, representing him presented the chart of Dr. Mohiuddin's total official duties.
Dr. Mohiuddin had been in 'leave' for 8 years, 5 months and 11 days of his total 14 years, 4 months and 2 days of duration till April 26 of 2005, since he was made a teacher in the department.
The Planning Committee made the decision out that Dr. Mohiuddin's application could not be considered, as he has not passed 12 years as a teacher according to the RU Academic calendar rules.
The Registrar sent a note to the Planning Committee marking the 'Vice-Chancellor's mandate', which sought Planning Committee decision over the application of Dr. Mohiuddin.
Dr. Syed Ahmed of the Geology department sent the decision of the Departmental Planning Committee to the Registrar on September 10.
The Planning Committee meeting was called again at 11 am on February 2, 2006. One of the topmost topics of the meeting agenda was the promotion of Dr. Mohiuddin.
Dr. Taher did not attend meeting no 421. Only three out of seven members were present at that meeting. The body of Dr. Taher was found in a manhole at the teachers' quarter sin the west colony early Friday (February 3).
BDNEWS/1546 hrs