The newly formed interim government has forced the resignation of a Dean at Dhaka University. The resignation came as it was reported that the Dean had prevented students from publicly reciting the Quran. Students gathered at the Dean’s office, recited the Quran, and demanded his resignation.
Activist Shihab Ahmed Tuhin shared a video on social media, saying: ‘This was a Dean at Dhaka University who did not allow students to recite the Quran publicly Today, students recited the Quran in his office, prayed for his uidance, and forced him to resign. Poetic Justice!’
Despite the widespread coverage of the news, reports suggest that the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Dhaka University resigned due to protest. Some argue that following the social media handles of Bangladesh’s Islamist groups is preferable, as secular media might not provide the full context.
According to the media reports, Professor Abdul Bashir resigned from his position as Dean of the Faculty of Arts, stating in his resignation letter, ‘I am resigning from the position of Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Please take necessary actions regarding this matter’.
Accusations against Professor Bashir included claims of involvement in the suppression of students. AB Jubair, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, alleged that Professor Bashir was among those who attacked students and punished those who participated in a Quran recitation program on campus during Ramadan.
The Quran was recited and concerns were raised about increasing Islamophobia and hostility towards the Quran. Reactions on social media include questions about whether this was truly a student movement. Some have tagged media outlets like the BBC, questioning whether the student protests were genuinely about religious issues.
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