Bangladesh News

The four released teachers of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday strongly said they will continue to speak the truth fearlessly in future and nobody can stifle their voice against any wrongdoing as Dhaka University is the “conscience” of the nation.

They demanded unconditional release of all detained students and withdrawal of all cases filed against DU teachers and students without any delay.

After being released from Dhaka Central Jail, the four teachers–Prof Sadrul Amin, Prof Anwar Hossain, Prof Harun-or-Rashid and Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik–walked to the Central Shaheed Minar.

They placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar and addressed a gathering of several hundred students, colleagues, relatives and well-wishers.

Prof Sadrul, president of Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta), said, “We will try our best to protect the truth as teachers and students are a great power to uphold truth and justice.

“Nobody is our opponent…I am sincerely requesting those who considered us opponents to work together with us for the country,” he said, thanking the students for forging a peaceful movement for their release.

Duta General Secretary Prof Anwar Hossain said, “Everyone knows the tradition and character of Dhaka University, so, nobody can smother our voice for justice and we will continue to speak the truth fearlessly.”

Expressing gratitude to the Amnesty International, European Union, teachers and students, the media and the people for their roles in securing the release of the teachers and students, he said, “We did not commit any crime. We just stood beside our distressed students and it was our duty.

“A few of our students are still in jail…We did not want to come out keeping them in jail but the jail authority promised that they would be freed tomorrow,” Anwar said.

Prof Harun-or-Rashid, dean of the social science faculty, said, “Despite the torture and harassment, we did not let anyone tarnish the image of Dhaka University.

“We have struggled for the truth…If necessary, we will be in jail for five years instead of two years but we cannot let the image of the university be destroyed,” he said, adding that they will raise their voice against any repression and injustice.

Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik, chairman of applied physics and electronics department, said, “We have always spoken for the establishment of truth and justice and we will keep doing this in future.”

DU teacher Prof Muhammad Samad said Duta will organise a solidarity meeting at 11:00am today on the campus where the released teachers will narrate the torture and harassment they suffered in the last few months.