DU forms committee to probe activities of pro-AL teachers’ group

The Dhaka University (DU) administration has formed a four-member committee to probe the demands for banning political activities of the "Neel Dal", a group of pro-Awami League teachers, and to take disciplinary action against those involved in anti-student activities during July Uprising.

The university Syndicate made the decision during a meeting on Tuesday. The administration has also decided to pursue administrative and legal measures against any teacher or organisation if allegations of acting against the interests of the university and students during the July Uprising are proven.

Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam heads the four-member committee. The other members are Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Mohammad Almujaddade Alfasanee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Abdus Salam, and the convener of the Sada Dal, Prof Morshed Hasan Khan.

The committee will investigate allegations raised over the past 17 years regarding support for fascism on campus, involvement in the repression of students and dissenting teachers, and the controversial role of the Neel Dal during the 2024 July Uprising.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Almujaddade Alfasanee confirmed that the administration set up the probe body after receiving a plea from the Anti-Fascist Teachers Association.

He said, "The university authority will take disciplinary and legal action against any teacher found guilty, while the Syndicate will consider prohibiting the political activities of the group if evidence confirms organizational involvement."

On Monday (27 July), more than 100 teachers submitted a memorandum under the banner of the “Anti-Fascist Teachers Association” to the Vice-Chancellor. The memorandum demanded a ban on the political activities of the Neel Dal and sought legal action against 231 teachers associated with the group.

The memorandum named several prominent academics, including former Vice-Chancellor Prof Maksud Kamal, former Vice-Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdus Samad, Prof Sithes Chandra Bachar, and former Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani.

According to the complainants, Neel Dal teachers actively opposed the student-led movement during the July 2024 mass uprising.

Following the killing of student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur on 16 July, the group held a press conference on 1 August 2024, calling on protesting students to stop playing the role of conspirators against the state, and to withdraw from the movement.

The memorandum added that during another press conference on 30 July 2024, Neel Dal members threatened teachers from the Sada Dal with treason charges for demanding government resignation. Besides, the group organized a rally on 3 August demanding a "speedy trial of all killings, sabotage and destruction centered around the quota movement," accusing protesting students for the violence.