DU Suspends Professors Kalimullah, Shibly Rubayat, and A K M Jamal Uddin Over Controversial Roles in July Uprising

The Dhaka University (DU) administration has temporarily suspended three high-profile professors and an administrative officer for their controversial roles during the historic July mass uprising. The suspended individuals face serious allegations of threatening protesting students and labeling them as "Razakars."

The decisive disciplinary actions were finalized during a high-level Syndicate meeting held on Monday (June 22), chaired by DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam.

High-Profile Academics Face Suspension

The three suspended professors are prominent public figures who have held senior administrative or regulatory roles both nationally and institutionally. They are:

• Professor Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of the Department of Public Administration.

• Professor Dr. A K M Jamal Uddin of the Department of Sociology.

• Professor Shibly Rubayat-ul-Islam of the Department of Banking and Insurance.

Alongside the faculty members, an administrative officer of the university, identified as Muhammad Lablu Molla Shishir, was also placed under temporary suspension under identical charges.

Action Taken Against Two Additional Faculty Members

The university administration has also penalized two other teachers following formal complaints lodged by both students and fellow faculty colleagues.

Professor Chowdhury Md. Tashrik-e-Habib of the Department of Bengali—who recently went viral across social media platforms for his singing videos—has been completely relieved of his academic duties based on complaints submitted against him.

Separately, Professor Mohammad Azmal Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Botany has been relieved from all academic activities following a formal recommendation from his departmental academic committee.

"The three individuals who have been temporarily suspended faced numerous grave allegations regarding their conduct during the July Uprising. On the other hand, the departmental academic committee recommended action against Professor Azmal Saheb based on specific allegations of threatening students during the July Uprising and making derogatory, insulting remarks regarding the attire of female students. Consequently, he has been relieved from all academic activities." — Professor Almozaddedi Alfehsani, Pro-Vice-Chancellor

The university administration indicated that these disciplinary measures represent preliminary steps as formal institutional inquiries into the conduct of the accused during the 2024 uprising continue to move forward.