DU teacher relieved of academic duties

The Dhaka University authorities yesterday relieved a teacher of all academic duties for allegedly assaulting one of his colleagues.

The order was issued against Prof Mezbah-Ul-Islam, chairman of information science and library management department, Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzman told The Daily Star.

Md Anwarul, an associate professor of the department, had filed a complaint against him, he said.

According to the complaint, Anwarul was unable to come to the university on March 11 and 12 as his child was ill. Although he had informed the chairman verbally, Prof Mezbah hurled expletives at him when the latter joined office on March 13.

“He attacked me when I returned to the department office after teaching evening classes,” the complaint reads.

Mezbah launched the attack when Anwarul refused to submit a leave application, it adds.

“Later, Prof Md Saiful Alam and Prof Md Nasir Uddin Munshi rescued me from the chairman's room,” said Anwarul in the complaint.

Earlier in the day, some 100 former and current students of the department formed a human chain at the Aparajeyo Bangla, demanding removal of Prof Mezbah from the post of chairman.

Protesting the assault, the students also boycotted classes.

Teachers of the department have also been boycotting classes and academic duties since March 14.

Prof Abu Md Delwar Hosain, dean of arts faculty, will serve as an interim chairperson of the department until further order, said the VC.

Prof Mezbah could not be contacted as he did not respond to repeated phone calls made by this correspondent.