Chhatra Dal padlocks CU administrative building demanding resignation of pro-VC
The protest followed remarks made by Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan at a discussion titled “Free thinking, the Liberation War and the killing of intellectuals in 1971”, organised by the university administration at the vice-chancellor’s office on 14 December, marking Martyred Intellectuals Day.
Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Chattogram University (CU) unit, today (15 December) padlocked the university's administrative building, demanding the resignation of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan over what they termed controversial remarks.
The padlocking took place at around 12:30pm at the CU administrative building.
The protest followed remarks made by Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan at a discussion titled "Free thinking, the Liberation War and the killing of intellectuals in 1971", organised by the university administration at the vice-chancellor's office on 14 December, marking Martyred Intellectuals Day.
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During his speech, the CU pro-vice-chancellor said, "At a time when I [the Pakistani army] was trying to flee the country, amid uncertainty over whether I would live or die, the idea that Pakistani fighters would kill Bangladesh's intellectuals seems completely illogical to me. I believe the intellectuals were killed through an international conspiracy to turn this country into a subordinate state. We have not been able to find Zahir Raihan to this day. If Zahir Raihan was found, we would know the real history of what actually happened."
After news of his remarks spread, strong reactions emerged across the campus and beyond. Last night, various student political organisations, including Chhatra Dal, brought out protest processions condemning the comments. As part of the ongoing protest, Chhatra Dal padlocked the administrative building today.
Chattogram University unit Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman said, "Chattogram University is one of the highest seats of learning in independent Bangladesh. When someone holding the position of pro-vice-chancellor makes derogatory remarks about the Liberation War and the martyred intellectuals, he loses the moral and ethical right to remain in that post."
He further said, "In the month of victory, he made offensive comments about the Liberation War and the intellectuals, and referred to those who dishonoured our mothers and sisters and killed our forefathers as 'Pakistani fighters'. Who are these Pakistani fighters? Is he referring to himself and others like him? He must explain this."
"Our only demand as students is that he has lost his eligibility to remain in this position. He must resign," Abdullah Al Noman added.
