DU suspends four professors over July uprising allegations

Dhaka University has temporarily suspended four professors and a university official over allegations related to their conduct during last year’s July Mass Uprising, in a move that reflects the institution’s latest effort to address long-standing complaints arising from the student-led movement.

The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting held on Monday night under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam. University authorities said the suspensions would remain in effect pending further proceedings.

The teachers placed under suspension are Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of the Department of Public Administration, Professor AKM Jamal Uddin of the Department of Sociology, Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam of the Department of Banking and Insurance, and Professor Dr Mohammad Azmal Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Botany.

University official Lavlu Molla Shishir was also placed under provisional suspension over the same allegations.

The action follows accusations that some faculty members labelled protesting students as “Razakars” and attempted to intimidate demonstrators during the July Mass Uprising. The allegations remained a major source of controversy on campus after the movement and continued to draw criticism from students.

University officials said the latest measures were intended to address complaints linked to a turbulent period that significantly influenced the country’s political landscape and altered power dynamics within public universities.

In a separate decision, the syndicate relieved Chowdury Md Tashrik-E-Habib of the Department of Bangla from all academic responsibilities following a recommendation from the department’s academic council.

Tashrik-E-Habib had previously attracted widespread attention and criticism on social media over a number of viral singing videos, prompting debate within the university community regarding his conduct.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Dr Almujaddade Alfasane confirmed the decisions after the syndicate meeting.

The disciplinary actions are expected to further intensify discussions surrounding accountability for conduct during the July movement, an episode that continues to shape academic and political discourse across higher education institutions in Bangladesh.