DUTA President Relieved of Academic Activities over Mushtaque Issue

Prof Md Rahmat Ullah, president of the Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA), has been relieved of all academic and administrative activities for showing respect to Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed, killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at a discussion at TSC auditorium on Mujibnagar Day (April 17).

The decision was taken a meeting of the Dhaka University syndicate held at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban with DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair on Wednesday, reports media.

Prof Humayun Kabir of the Department of History, and also a member of the syndicate, confirmed it.

He said, "Prof Rahmat Ullah made statement at the syndicate meeting explaining his remarks. Then he was relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities."

Prof Humayun Kabir said a five-member probe committee, headed by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal was formed to investigate the incident.

The next step would be taken based on the investigation report, he added. "Then the university authorities will take final decision."

The DU Administration organised a discussion on 'Mujibnagar Day' at TSC Auditorium on Sunday last (April 17), where Prof Rahmat Ullah spoke on Khondker Mushtaque. Controversies arose there over his remarks.

Several teachers attended the discussion said in his written remarks, Prof Rahmat Ullah said: "I pay deep respect to four national leaders and foreign minister Khondker Mushtaque Ahmed of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman government."

DU Pro-VC (Admn) Prof Md Samad, who was present at the discussion at that time, instantly lodged protest. He also requested VC Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman to expunge the remarks. Then the VC expunged the DUTA president's remarks.

In an instant reaction, Prof Samad said, "Dhaka University doesn't accept deep respect to a person like Khondker Mushtaque Ahmed."

Since his remarks, controversy has begun. Prof Rahmat Ullah said he didn't make any direct remark over Khondker Mushtaque.

Later, he apologised terming what sounded like praising Mushtaque as "inadvertent".

"Probably Prof Rahmat Ullah inadvertently said this. In the same speech, he (Rahmat Ullah) showed utmost abhorrence to Mushtaque. It is understood that it may have come out inadvertently," DU VC said later on.