DU relieves Prof Golam Rabbani of Islamic history chair

The decision comes following legal opinions that a criminal case is pending against him, university official says

Dhaka University has relieved Prof Golam Rabbani of his duties as chairman of the Department of Islamic History and Culture.

The decision was finalised on Monday evening by Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, confirmed Rafiqul Islam Panna, acting director of the university’s public relations office.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Panna said: “The decision was taken after the authorities took note of a legal opinion that a criminal case is currently pending against him at the CMM court.”

He said Prof Siddiqur Rahman Khan, dean of the Faculty of Arts, has been appointed as the acting chairman of the department.

Prof Rabbani, a teacher of the department, had assumed the role of chairman based on seniority following the death of Prof Ataur Rahman Biswas.

Prof Biswas, who was serving as chairman of the department, died of a cardiac arrest on Wednesday.

Subsequently, allegations surfaced against Prof Rabbani, including claims that he took a stance against students during the July Uprising and that students were harassed during his tenure as former proctor of the university.

In light of the allegations and the ongoing criminal case, the university authorities decided to remove him from the post of chairman.