Dhaka University VC Arefin Siddique gets first big blow in seven years

Seven years after getting the top job of the university, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor’s days as the head of the university hang in uncertainty as the Chhatra League has decided to go against him on the history gaffe episode on Friday.

Vice Chancellor Arefin Siddique found himself neck-deep in trouble after the university’s acting registrar came out with the foundation day souvenir which introduced Pakistan military dictator General Ziaur Rahman as Bangladesh’s first president.

This comes within the span of one year of Zia’s son Tareque Rehman terming the army strongman as the first President of Bangladesh.

The gaffe did not go down well with the Chhatra League, who have taken umbrage at the goof up and termed it as an insult of the Bangabandhu.

Quite naturally, Arefin soon heard himself being called a Razakar during protest slogans that consumed most of the day at the campus on Friday.

Though Arefin tried to dodge the crisis by sacking the acting registrar, and holding him responsible for the fiasco that carries his byline, trouble seems far from over for the VC.

Prof Arefin was appointed VC in 2009 after the exit of his pro-BNP predecessor SMA Fayez following the victory of the Awami League in the elections of 2008.

Known to be close to the new VC, it was at this time that Pro Vice Chancellor Haroon R Rashid and Finance Officer Mijanur Rahman got their appointments in their roles.

Although the trio were close at the beginning, relations soon began to turn sour.

Prof Arefin, originally a faculty member of the Mass Communication and Journalism department, managed to come out unscathed from several calamitous situations including the incident of the death of a student following a rift in the Chhatra League and violent clashes between Chhatra League and authorities that left the then Proctor wounded.

But this time, the going seems to have become impossible as the Chhatra League has decided to cross swords with Arefin over the twisted history issue.

Arefin Siddque has been an important functionary of the Awami League sympathizing Teachers’ body— Blue Panel.

Arefin Siddque was born Oct 23 1953. He has been president of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha and has held various other key offices. He has been on a number of national committees on education, culture and publicity. He was also dean of Social Sciences before becoming the vice chancellor of the university.