DU still silent over pro-AL teachers’ scuffle

A faction of teachers belonging to the Awami League-backed ‘Blue Panel’ at Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday evening assaulted a colleague during a meeting at the Teacher Student Center (TSC). Some teachers, who attended the meeting, said the Blue Panel teachers had held a general meeting at the TSC around 4 pm. After the three-hour meeting, when Prof. AKM Jamal Uddin, a senate member, was speaking about the Blue Panel’s unity, the newly appointed Proctor, Prof. Golam Rabbani, used abusive words against him and former vice-chancellor (VC) Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique.  As Jamal Uddin protested against Prof Rabbani’s words, the Proctor hit Jamal and his nose started bleeding.

Then, two other teachers, who are supporters of incumbent VC Prof. Md Akhteruzzaman, also assaulted Jamil Uddin with chairs. The two teachers have been identified as Shah Md Masum, a professor of applied chemistry, and Sitesh Chandra Bachar, the head of the pharmacy department.

Jamal Uddin alleged: “Prof. Golam Rabbani used abusive words against me. When I protested, he got furious and hit me.”  “Masum and Bachar also attacked me with chairs, even though other teachers were trying to protect me by forming a human shield. My nose was bleeding by then and I was treated in the presence of the VC,” he said.

Later, Blue Panel convener Prof. Abdul Aziz told reporters that they had asked the VC to fire the Proctor immediately and take action against the two teachers involved in the incident.  “If the university administration doesn’t take any action, we’ll launch stronger movement and boycott all meetings,” he said.

Refuting the allegation, Prof. Golam Rabbani said: “Prof Jamal had punched me on the chest while I was speaking at the meeting.”  “As other teachers tried to save me by forming a human shield, Jamal slumped on the floor and hit a chair. It caused his nose to bleed.”   The pro-AL Blue Panel demanded that the university sack Prof. Golam Rabbani immediately. The authorities concerned, however, are yet to form any probe committee in this regard. The incumbent VC, Prof. Md Akhteruzzaman, said the incident was an internal matter of the Blue Panel and will be resolved through discussions.

The Blue Panel convener, Prof. Abdul Aziz, said: “We’ve issued an ultimatum to the university authorities. We’ve told them to sack the Proctor by Friday, but the DU hasn’t taken any action yet.” “We’ll decide on our next course of action on Saturday,” he added.

DU still silent over pro-AL teachers scuffle

A faction of teachers belonging to the Awami League-backed Blue Panel at Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday evening assaulted a colleague during a meeting at the Teacher Student Center (TSC). Some teachers, who attended the meeting, said the Blue Panel teachers had held a general meeting at the TSC around 4 pm. After the three-hour meeting, when Prof. AKM Jamal Uddin, a senate member, was speaking about the Blue Panels unity, the newly appointed Proctor, Prof. Golam Rabbani, used abusive words against him and former vice-chancellor (VC) Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique. As Jamal Uddin protested against Prof Rabbanis words, the Proctor hit Jamal and his nose started bleeding. Then, two other teachers, who are supporters of incumbent VC Prof. Md Akhteruzzaman, also assaulted Jamil Uddin with chairs. The two teachers have been identified as Shah Md Masum, a professor of applied chemistry, and Sitesh Chandra Bachar, the head of the pharmacy department. Jamal Uddin alleged: Prof. Golam Rabbani used abusive words against me. When I protested, he got furious and hit me. Masum and Bachar also attacked me with chairs, even though other teachers were trying to protect me by forming a human shield. My nose was bleeding by then and I was treated in the presence of the VC, he said. Later, Blue Panel convener Prof. Abdul Aziz told reporters that they had asked the VC to fire the Proctor immediately and take action against the two teachers involved in the incident. If the university administration doesnt take any action, well launch stronger movement and boycott all meetings, he said. Refuting the allegation, Prof. Golam Rabbani said: Prof Jamal had punched me on the chest while I was speaking at the meeting. As other teachers tried to save me by forming a human shield, Jamal slumped on the floor and hit a chair. It caused his nose to bleed. The pro-AL Blue Panel demanded that the university sack Prof. Golam Rabbani immediately. The authorities concerned, however, are yet to form any probe committee in this regard. The incumbent VC, Prof. Md Akhteruzzaman, said the incident was an internal matter of the Blue Panel and will be resolved through discussions. The Blue Panel convener, Prof. Abdul Aziz, said: Weve issued an ultimatum to the university authorities. Weve told them to sack the Proctor by Friday, but the DU hasnt taken any action yet. Well decide on our next course of action on Saturday, he added.