Permanent Dismissal Recommended for DU Professor Sadeka Halim, Six Others Cleared

The Syndicate of Dhaka University (DU) has recommended the permanent expulsion of former Jagannath University VC Prof. Dr. Sadeka Halim and relieved six other professors from all academic and administrative duties for their roles against students during the July Mass Uprising.

In a landmark decision, the university's highest executive body also resolved to review all recruitments of teachers, officers, and employees conducted between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2024, during the Awami League administration.

According to university sources, the Syndicate decided to forward an earlier investigation committee's recommendation for the permanent expulsion of Prof. Sadeka Halim to the university tribunal for a final verdict. Prof. Halim, a faculty member of the Sociology Department, was elected to the Awami League's Advisory Council in 2022 and previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University.

When contacted by The Daily Campus, Prof. Sadeka Halim stated, "I have learned about the matter. The recommendation of the investigation committee has been sent to the tribunal, and I do not wish to comment until a final decision is reached."

The six professors relieved from teaching and administrative responsibilities are:

• Prof. Md. Abdul Muhit (Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

• Prof. Abu Sara Shamsur Rauf (Department of Pharmaceutical Technology)

• Prof. Dr. Mohammad Bahauddin (Department of Persian Language and Literature)

• Prof. Dr. Rafiq Shahriar (Department of Peace and Conflict Studies)

• Prof. Afroza Shelly (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

• Prof. Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfe Sani confirmed the developments to The Daily Campus. Sources indicate that all exempted faculty members are affiliated with the Awami League-backed Blue Panel (Nil Dal).

To implement the Syndicate's decisions, multiple high-level committees have been constituted:

• Recruitment Review Committee: Headed by Pro-VC (Academic) Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam and comprising deans of all faculties, this panel will review all appointments made during the specified 15-year period.

• HEQEP Audit Committee: Led by Pro-VC (Administration) Prof. Dr. Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfe Sani, this committee will examine research funding allocations under the World Bank and UGC-funded Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP).

• Special Review Team: A four-member team led by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. A B M Obaidul Islam, along with both Pro-VCs and Syndicate Member Prof. Morshed Hasan Khan, will scrutinize a list of 231 teachers submitted by the 'Anti-Fascist Teachers' platform. The Syndicate further decided that if accused faculty members are linked to any teacher organization, the activities of that organization will be banned.

Speaking to The Daily Campus, Syndicate Member Prof. Dr. Tajmeri S A Islam confirmed that initial measures were taken against teachers accused of making derogatory statements regarding the movement and taking anti-uprising positions. She added that probes against several other faculty members are ongoing, and further action will follow as findings are verified.

The administrative actions follow a memorandum submitted on Monday by over a hundred teachers under the banner of 'Anti-Fascist Teachers'. The group, joined by BNP and Jamaat-leaning faculty members, submitted a list of 231 Awami League and left-leaning teachers accused of supporting fascism during the July movement, demanding disciplinary action and an immediate ban on the Blue Panel.