Dhaka University teachers, belonging to the pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party White Panel, on Sunday demanded trial of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her collaborators among fellow teachers for their role in crackdown on students during the July uprising.
At a human chain held at the base of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture at around 11:30am, the teachers alleged that Sheikh Hasina ordered the use of lethal weapons against demonstrating students during the uprising in which several DU teachers gave her explicit support by visiting her at her official residence Gono Bhaban.
From the human chain White Panel convener Professor Morshed Hasan Khan said, 鈥楶ro-Awami teachers gave the then-government a 鈥渂lank cheque鈥� to shoot at students. They even issued statements against the caretaker government later.鈥�
He continued, 鈥楤ut where was their conscience when our children were being tortured and killed? I demand that these teachers of Dhaka University be brought to justice.鈥�
Panel joint convener Professor Md Abul Kalam Sarker said, 鈥楢 swift trial of Sheikh Hasina will be the greatest reform in the country. We strongly demand her maximum punishment in the shortest possible time.鈥�
Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Siddiqur Rahman Khan said, 鈥楧uring the uprising, a section of teachers claiming to be intellectuals encouraged Hasina to carry out mass killing during the anti-quota protests last year.鈥�
鈥楾he authorities have taken no action against them. We demand their maximum punishment without delay,鈥� he added.
DU proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, Dean of Fine Arts Professor Azharul Islam Sheikh, Dean of Biological Sciences Professor Enamul Haque, convener of Fine Arts White Panel artist Israfil Ratan, provost of PJ Hartog International Hall Professor MA Kawsar, among others, were present at the programme.
