In response to the on going nationwide student protests, teachers, students, and officials from various departments of Dhaka University organised protest rallies, human chains, and a procession on the campus on Thursday.
Teachers and students from DU’s Public Administration Department gathered at the Oporajeyo Bangla monument to protest a police attack on two of their department’s teachers.
The incident occurred on the High Court premises on Wednesday, when the teachers were attempting to prevent the detention of their students by police.
Then students and teachers of the Economics Department held a pre-scheduled protest rally at the same location, condemning the harassment of teachers and students by the government.
Another rally was organised under the banner of the “Anti-Discrimination Teachers Gathering” by some teachers of Dhaka University, including members of the BNP-backed teachers’ panel White panel and left-leaning teachers. Several teachers without having political link and students also participated in the event.
Speaking at the rally, Professor Asif Nazrul of the Law Department said, “This government will not prosecute the killings because the government itself is involved in it. Murderous forces and organizations were supported and encouraged by the highest level of the government. Efforts are being made to divert the course of justice.”
“I witnessed students being shot by police in uniform. I saw the video of Abu Sayed being shot. Firearms were in the hands of Jubo League and Chhatra League activists, yet the government continues to claim that our students were killed by terrorists,” he added.
Asif said, “Our existence is under attack. Teachers will not remain silent while students are left insecure. The youth are the heart of Bangladesh; an attack on them is an attack on the nation itself. The government should not expect us to accept this quietly.”
From the rally, the teachers announced the “Droho Zatra (Revolt March)” programme, set to begin from the National Press Club on Friday at 3 pm.
The march will proceed to the Central Shaheed Minar, and people from various professions, including university teachers, engineers, and doctors, were invited to join.
At around 1:15 pm they brought out a silent procession from Raju Sculpture to Shaheed Minar. They observed a minute silence to pay respect those killed during quota reform protests.
