DU authorities to take action over Jinnah's photo display at DUCSU

Dhaka University authorities have said administrative action will be taken against those involved in displaying photographs of Pakistan's first Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah and then student union leader Abdul Malek at the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) museum.

The information was provided in a press release sent by Farrukh Mahmud, Deputy Director of the university's Public Relations Office, on Monday, September 14.

The press release stated that the display of photographs of Pakistan's then Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah and then student union leader Abdul Malek at the DUCSU museum has come to the university authorities' attention. Displaying photographs of such individuals, which conflict with the history of the Language Movement and Bangladesh's independence, is in no way acceptable at the university's museum. Strict administrative action will be taken against those concerned in accordance with the university's existing rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, a student named Abu Tayeb Hawlader tore up the photograph of Pakistan's then Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah at noon on Monday.

On the other hand, the university authorities have also described the launch of a website by DUCSU for evaluating university teachers without approval as a punishable offence.

The press release stated that DUCSU launched a website to evaluate university teachers without approval, which is not consistent with the university's policies and institutional process. Teacher evaluation is a highly important academic and institutional matter of the university. In this regard, no individual, organisation or student union can launch a separate evaluation system on their own initiative. At the same time, personal information of teachers has been exposed by launching the website, which is a punishable offence under the law.

Dhaka University authorities said the university has its own policy for teaching evaluation. The policy, approved at the university's highest level, is in the process of implementation.

According to the authorities, any initiative to launch a separate teacher evaluation system outside the approved policy is unacceptable. It amounts to tarnishing the university's reputation. In this situation, such activities by DUCSU are undesirable, unexpected and unacceptable.

At the same time, the authorities said there is no scope for establishing any kind of dual administration at the university. The press release stated that although DUCSU is an important student representative body, all its activities must be conducted within the university's laws, rules, policies and administrative framework. If any attempt is made to establish a parallel structure or process bypassing the university's administrative authority, it will be strictly resisted.

DU authorities further said no compromise will be made in protecting the university's institutional discipline and the dignity of the history of Bangladesh's Language Movement and Liberation War. If any initiative is taken to construct any establishment or launch a separate administrative system without the university's approval, strict administrative action will be taken against those concerned in accordance with existing rules.