The Dhaka University authorities on August 14,
2010 corrected a "historic mistake" it made 61 years ago by expelling one of
its best-known students Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but the premier
university could not pay its ceremonial tributes that had planned for the
great leader on August 15, 1975.
The DU authorities prepared a citation to be conferred upon Bangabandhu at a
special ceremony on that day, which could never happen as Bangabandhu was
killed along with most of his family members in a predawn putsch on that very
day.
The then Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Abdul Matin Chowdhury was supposed
to render it on behalf of the teachers, students and employees of the
university.
Bangabandhu, chancellor of the university, was also scheduled to deliver a
speech before the teachers, students and employees of the university and
exchange views with them at a programme at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC)
on the campus.
On December 2 in 2009, the historical document-citation was recovered from a
room of the university's registrar building by chance. Former Deputy
Registrar of the university Amir Hossain found the citation as he was looking
for some official documents in a room where old papers and documents were
kept stored.
"Amir Hossain handed over the handwritten and wooden-framed citation to me,
which is now a very precious one for the new generation," the then DU VC Prof
AAMS Arefin Siddique told BSS.
Asked what his reaction was when the document was handed over to him, Prof
Arefin said "I was just overwhelmed".
He said Prof Matin Chowdhury prepared the handwritten citation through fine
arts faculty teachers but it was never rendered on the university's one of
the best-know students as well as the then chancellor Sheikh Mujib.
"It was all set to welcome Bangabandhu. But when the news of massacre came,
everyone of the university family was so shocked that someone might have
hidden the citation in fear or intentionally," he said.
Six decades after Sheikh Mujib's expulsion from the university for his role
in a movement of class four employees, the university authorities withdrew
the expulsion order terming it "undemocratic and unjust" on the eve of 35th
martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu in 2010.
On March 26 in 1949, the then university authorities expelled him with
issuing some conditions for its withdrawal. But, it was Bangabandhu who was
an undisputed leader and always protested any unjust in strong voice
throughout his, a second-year student of law at the DU, rejected those
conditions and left the university as an expelled one.
"The Dhaka University corrected a "historic mistake" it made 61 years by
withdrawing its expulsion order," Prof Arefin said.
He said two silver crests inscribed with DU monogram and a casket which were
supposed to given to Bangabandhu were also found in a safe at the registrar's
office of the university few days after the recovery of the citation.
The university authorities presented all the items as memorabilia to
Bangabandhu's eldest daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2013.
These items have been put on display at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 32
Dhanmondi which bears the testimony of life and works of Bangabandhu and
where the massacre took place in 1975.
Prof Arefin said a special chair was brought for Bangabandhu and none knew
about the chair until 2016 when DU Teacher-Student Centre's former Director
Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury retrieved it from a storeroom at the centre.
He later renovated it and subsequently the university authorities put it on
public display at the TSC, he said.
Asked about the preparations of the university and enthusiasm among the
students over the visit of Bangabandhu after the independence, Prof Arefin
said at that time he was an MA student of mass communication and journalism
at the university.
"All-out preparations were taken to welcome Bangabandhu as he was supposed to
visit the university as its Chancellor for the very first time on August 15.
The entire university wore a festive look as enthusiastic students, teachers
and all others were eagerly waiting for the event," he said.
"It was around 4pm or 4.30pm on August 14. I along with my fellow students
was going towards south gate of Arts Faculty building from my department. I
saw a cheerful Sheikh Kamal along with his friends was coming from the
corridor of Sociology Department. I think an anthropological museum was built
at the Sociology Department. Bangabandhu was supposed to visit it. So, they
might have been returning from there after checking the preparations. It was
my last glimpse of Sheikh Kamal," he said.
Asked about the programme schedule of the August 15, Prof Arefin Siddique,
who later became the Vice-Chancellor of his alma mater, he said Bangabandhu
was supposed to visit several structures and different faculties and
departments before delivering a speech at the TSC.
Before leaving the campus, he was supposed to go to the VC's office where he
would be entertained with light foods there while some senior teachers were
asked to stay there at that time, he mentioned.
The DU was all set to welcome its chancellor for the first time in 54 years
since its inception in 1921 so that a festive look was prevailing everywhere
on the campus. But the auspicious occasion never came as the Father of Nation
was brutally assassinated along with most of his family members several hours
ago before he was scheduled to visit the university.
The full translated text of the citation, which was supposed to be read out
by the then, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor was as follows:
"The following is a citation to show respect to the founder of the nation,
the Honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Honorable
Chancellor of Dhaka University Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on behalf of
all the teachers, students and employees of this university".
Honorable Chancellor,
We are glad that you have come to the University of Dhaka for the first time
as its honorable Chancellor. We are proud that you are the first Chancellor
to visit this university in 54 years of its history. We warmly welcome you.
You know the glorious heritage of this university and its contributions to
students' mass movement. We remember with due respect on this auspicious
occasion those teachers, employees and students who sacrificed their lives in
our struggle for Independence and all other struggles. We are grateful to you
for your gracious help to this university.
Honorable Chancellor,
A second revolution under your leadership has begun across the country. We
congratulate you for initiating this second groundbreaking revolution. This
university will support and materialise this second revolution like the first
one. Your arrival at Dhaka University at a time of revolutionary change is
indeed a memorable event.
Honorable Chancellor,
You know the problems of Dhaka University. There is no need to tell you about
the problems again. In fact the university has problems and all of them
cannot be solved. We firmly believe that facing problems with courage and
trying to solve them are the main signs of development. There were 7,000
students in this university before our Independence and now there are 15,000
students. As a result we have to face the problems of residence, classroom
shortage, lack of resources in the library and seminars etc. Teachers and
employees have some problems too. We know that all the problems cannot be
solved overnight. Initiatives to solve the problems should be taken in the
light of overall situation of the country. Despite the fact, we have to
remember that Dhaka University is the oldest, biggest and according to people
the best university in Bangladesh. I have discussed the problems of this
university with you many times before. You said that you wanted to turn Dhaka
University into the national university. We want your kind sympathy, goodwill
and consideration in this regard.
Honorable Chancellor,
No individual or institution is eternal. But this university will exist as
long as Bangladesh exists. And according to our belief, this university will
determine the political, social, economic and cultural future and way of life
in Bangladesh. So, we hope for special consideration of you, your government
and the people of Bangladesh for this university.
Honorable Chancellor,
We extend our heartiest thanks to you on behalf of the teachers,
administration and employees of this university for your arrival despite
having busy schedule. This university is yours, mine and ours. We want to
assure you that we will work hard to materialise the second revolution
announced by you. We pray to the Almighty for the success of the second
revolution, because it has no alternatives.
The second revolution is the only way to freedom for the oppressed people of
Bangladesh. We express our allegiance and gratefulness to you again. We also
pray to the almighty for your good health and long life.
Long live Bangla (Joy Bangla), long live Bangabandhu (Joy Bangabandhu), and
long live Dhaka University (Joy Dhaka Biswabidyalaya).
August 15, 1975
Yours obedient,
On behalf of all the teachers, employees and Students of
Dhaka University
Abdul Matin Chowdhury
Vice-Chancellor
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
