‘Inadvertent’ respect towards Khandaker Mushtaque: DUTA president’s speech expunged

Prof Md Rahmat Ullah, president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) today (April 17, 2022) "inadvertently" showed both respect and abhorrence to Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed, one of the chief conspirators behind the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Later, DU Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman expunged the particular part of Rahmat Ullah's speech where he "showed respect" to Mushtaque.

Prof Rahmat Ullah, also Dean of the Faculty of Law, made the remarks while addressing a discussion marking Mujibnagar Day at the TSC auditorium.

After Rahmat Ullah's speech, Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Muhammad Samad addressed the function and raised objections to this remark.

Prof Akhtaruzzaman told The Daily Star, "Probably Prof Rahmat Ullah inadvertently said this," and added, "In the same speech, he (Rahmat Ullah) showed utmost abhorrence to Mushtaque. It is understood that it may have come out inadvertently."

Contacted, Prof Rahmat Ullah said, "Mushtaque is a stigma for the nation.  He is the most hated person in the history of our country. There is not a single aspect to show respect to him. I mentioned his name only when I was discussing different departments of the Mujibnagar government."

"I don't know how mentioning his name just to reflect on the background of the Mujibnagar government is showing respect to him. I condemned him in my entire speech," he added.

He further said, "I'm sorry if it's regarded as respect. That all happened inadvertently."

Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed was the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Mujibnagar government and was later made President following the assassination of Bangabandhu.