Tension in JU Probe Committee: Students Protest Against Teacher, Professor Resigns Over Insecurity

JU Correspondent

Tensions have risen at a meeting of the committee formed to investigate the attack on students during the anti-discrimination student movement at Jahangirnagar University (JU).

Last Sunday, during the testimony at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, both the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Professor Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque, and the Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environment, Professor Md. Shahedur Rashid, left the meeting venue in the face of strong protests from students over their presence.

The students protested with slogans such as “If the donors are judged, what will the administration do?”, “If the League’s friends are judged, shame on them,” and “Awami League’s hideout, destroy it, crush it.”

The students alleged that Professor Mozammel Haque tried to influence the investigation process. In a letter dated April 28, he demanded a reconsideration of the syndicate’s decision to suspend the teachers.

On the other hand, Professor Shahedur Rashid is accused of supporting the attackers.

Abdullah Al Mamun, a student of the 48th batch, said, “How will the confidentiality of our testimony and a fair trial be ensured if the accused teacher is on the investigation committee?”

Students’ Union President Zahidul Islam Emon complained that placing pro-Awami teachers on the committee has turned the trial into a farce.

Meanwhile, Professor Mozammel Haque told the vice-chancellor in a letter dated August 18 that he felt it was inappropriate and unsafe to remain on the committee due to the students’ reaction to the August 17 testimony. He expressed his intention to resign, but called on the teachers to conclude the investigation quickly and fairly.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said, “The committee has been formed as per the rules. The investigation will be conducted based on facts and evidence, not the political affiliation of the teachers. The syndicate will take the final decision.”

An investigation is underway against 19 teachers in connection with the March 17 attack, of which 9 have been suspended.