3 Dhaka University teachers suspended, 2 barred from academic activities

The action was taken against four accused of threatening students during the July Uprising and one based on complaints from teachers and students

The Dhaka University syndicate has decided to suspend three teachers and temporarily suspend one from academic activities for “controversial activities” and “threats” to students during the July Uprising.

Another teacher, who was in the news for singing songs on social media, has been suspended from academic activities based on complaints from teachers and students.

Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of the Department of Public Administration, Prof Abul Kashem Mohammad Jamal Uddin of the Department of Sociology, and Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam of the Department of Banking and Insurance have been temporarily suspended in connection with the July Uprising.

Prof Mohammad Azmal Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Botany has been temporarily suspended from academic activities.

The university administration has also temporarily suspended university official Lavlu Molla Shishir, formally known as Muhammad Lavlu Molla, on the same charge.

Based on complaints from teachers and students, Department of Bengali teacher Chowdhury Md Tashrik-e-Habib has also been barred from academic activities as per the recommendation of the Academic Council.

He went viral on social media for singing a song, which sparked criticism at the university.

Stating that these decisions were made at the syndicate meeting on Monday night, DU Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Almujaddade Alfasane told bdnews24.com: “The three who have been temporarily suspended had various allegations related to the July Uprising against them.

“The academic committee recommended against Prof Azmal for threatening students during the July Uprising and insulting female students over their clothes. Therefore, he has been barred from academic activities.”

The syndicate also forwarded to the legal advisor a proposal to cancel the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) general secretary post held by Golam Rabbani, who was elected in the 2019 polls.

In November last year, the Academic Council recommended cancelling Rabbani’s admission to the MPhil programme over procedural irregularities and declaring his election as DUCSU general secretary in 2019 invalid.