Removal of 3 DU teachers demanded for patronising pro-Jamaat students

A group of students of Arabic department at Dhaka University yesterday kept the office room of the department's chairman and two other rooms locked for seven hours demanding removal of three teachers for "patronising pro-Jamaat students".
Students alleged that three teachers-- chairman Prof ABM Siddiqur Rahman Nizami, students' adviser Prof ATM Fakhruddin and lecturer Md Rafiqul Islam-- provide extra facilities to pro-Jamaat students.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique told The Daily Star that a few students of the department placed some allegations against the teachers before him and these would be investigated.
About 10 to 15 students locked chairman's room, office room and a classroom around 8:00am. However, they removed the locks around 3:00pm on direction of authorities.
They also stuck three hand-written posters on a wall at the department saying stop patronising politics of Jamaat and establish the pro-liberation force in the department.
Later, a good number of students were seen protesting. A few students, however, said they were forced to join the protest by some Chhatra League activists who were leading the demonstration.
On condition of anonymity, several agitating students said the teachers provide extra facilities like giving money from the departmental fund to the students who are involved in activities of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student front of Jamaat.
"We submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor on April 25 describing the situation," said a fourth year student.
Denying the allegations, lecturer Rafiqul said he was never involved with Jamaat-Shibir.
Prof Siddiqur also denied the allegations of his involvement with Jamaat and said, “The problem could have been resolved through discussions”.
The students decided to continue their movement until their demands are met.
Leaders of pro-BNP and Jamaat teachers' white panel will meet the VC around 11:30 today to discuss the situation prevailing in the department.