DU VC lauds BCL activists for protesting DUTA president’s ‘inadvertent’ praise of Mushtaque

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman has praised Bangladesh Chatra League leaders and activists when they went to submit a memorandum to him – protesting DUTA President Prof Md Rahmat Ullah's remark, "paying tribute" to Khandaker Mushtaque.

After accepting the memorandum, the VC said, "I sincerely thank the students of Dhaka University for condemning and protesting this issue with a civil approach and language."

He said the president and general secretary of BCL's DU unit submitted the statement in a responsible manner.

Expressing solidarity with the BCL activists, the VC said, "I hope this issue will be resolved. If any untoward incident arises, the way BCL activists protested in a responsible manner, any problem can be solved."

Prof Md Rahmat Ullah spoke on Khandaker Mushtaque at a discussion meeting organised by the Dhaka University administration at TSC auditorium on the historic Mujibnagar Day yesterday (April 17).

Later, Prof Rahmat Ullah apologised – terming what sounded like praising Khandaker Mushtaque "unintentional".

Mushtaque is one of the chief conspirators behind the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Meanwhile, Prof Rahmat Ullah today arranged a press conference at Dhaka University Club to clarify his stance over his remarks on Mushtaque.

Prof Rahmat Ullah said, "If I said anything inadvertently while speaking at yesterday's meeting, it was a mistake. For this, I personally apologise."

"I have been working for the interest of the country and the nation by remaining steadfast in the spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

"In 2004, during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, I was elected a syndicate member in the lecturer category for the first time from the Blue Panel. Since then, I have been nominated many times from the Blue Panel and elected as the General Secretary and President of the Senate, Syndicate, deans and teachers' association. I have been working for the welfare of the pro-Liberation War forces and for the teachers and students of Dhaka University."