Prof 'assaulted' at DU pro-AL teachers' meet

The proctor of Dhaka University allegedly assaulted a professor during a meeting of Blue Panel, a pro-Awami League teachers' forum, yesterday evening.

Prof AKM Golam Rabbani, responsible for ensuring discipline at the university, swooped on Prof AKM Jamal Uddin of sociology department and left him with minor injuries, said a number of Blue Panel members who were present at the meeting.

Jamal, also a senate member, alleged that Rabbani was delivering a provocative speech about former VC Prof Arefin Siddique and was hurling abuses towards some other Blue Panel teachers.

“He punched me in the nose and kicked me several times when I protested his indecent speech …,” Jamal claimed.

A member of the Blue Panel said panel convener Prof Abdul Aziz and some other teachers rescued Jamal and took him away for primary treatment.

Refuting the allegation of assaulting his colleague, the proctor said, “Prof Jamal came towards me and suddenly pushed me while I was giving my speech.

“Some teachers at the meeting tried to protect me from him by forming a human shield.”

Prof Aziz said they went to DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman and demanded Rabbani be fired.

“We will not hold any meetings of the Blue Panel with teachers who assaulted Prof Jamal and will wage a tough movement if he [the VC] does not punish the perpetrators,” he said.

Contacted, Vice-Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, “We are looking into the matter and we will take necessary steps after a probe.”

Yesterday's general meeting of the AL-backed Blue Panel was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on campus.