Dhaka – Dhaka University acting registrar Syed Rezaur Rahman was relieved of his duty on Friday as its souvenir book mentioned Ziaur Rahman as Bangladesh’s first president, UNB news agency reported.
Amid protests by leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League at the house of DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, the university authorities also decided to seize the souvenir book published marking its 95th founding anniversary.Campus sources said Syed Rezaur Rahman was removed as the registrar in the afternoon through an office order signed by the deputy registrar.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League backtracked from their demand for the resignation of the DU VC.
As part of the founding anniversary programme, a discussion meeting started at 11 am at TSC auditorium with the DU VC in the chair.
When copies of the souvenir book were distributed among the guests, general students, leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League students, turned furious as Ziaur Rahman was mentioned as the 1st president of Bangladesh in it.
The souvenir also mentioned ‘Jagannath Hall’ of the university as a residential hall of the students of minority groups.
The agitated students confined the acting registrar of the university to his office and torched a copy of the souvenir book in front of it. Later, university Proctor Prof Amzad Hossain rushed in and rescued the acting registrar, witnesses said.
Some BCL activists, led by DU BCL president Abid Al Hasan and general secretary Motahar Hossain Prince, surrounded the VC house, staged demonstrations in front of it and vandalised the vehicle carrying the VC. However, Dr Arefin Siddique remained unhurt.
Meanwhile, the removal order of the registrar reached the VC’s residence around 4pm when Arefin Siddique distributed it among the reporters.
Following the development, the BCL men withdrew their protest programme for the time being.
However, they resumed demonstrations in front of the VC’s house demanding his immediate resignation.
The DU BCL general secretary said they will paralyse all activities of the university from Saturday if the VC does not resign by 8pm today (Friday).
Later, they put the gate of the VC’s house under lock and key.
VC Arefin Siddique said action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.
Speaking at a press conference at his residence in the afternoon, he also said they relieved the acting registrar of his duty in this regard.
He said action will also be taken after investigation against those attacked his vehicle.
