RU professor files GD over death threat

A professor of Rajshahi University (RU) has allegedly been receiving death threats for mentioning Natore-2 lawmaker Shafiqul Islam Shimul's father as a razakar in his book on Liberation War.

Prof Sarkar Sujit Kumar, chairman of Bangla department at RU, filed a general diary (GD) with Boalia Model Police in this regard on Thursday, said Sub-inspector Nadim of the police station.

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Prof Kumar published the book -- History-Tradition and Liberation War of Natore District – in 2009 while another edition came out this year.

In the GD, Prof Kumar said in his book, he wrote Hasan Ali Sardar (father of lawmaker Shimul) was a razakar in page 600 (number 21 in the list) of his book.

The professor alleged that alongside giving death threats, those close to the MP have been spreading false information against him.

In the GD, he also said there has been an ongoing conflict centring formation of the district committee of Natore Swechhasebak League.

While discussing about MP Shimul, his father's activity during the Liberation War came up. Some local leaders used his book as a reference for the lawmaker's father's anti-Liberation War activities, said the professor.

Contacted, Prof Kumar said, "I compiled lists of freedom fighters, martyrs and anti-Liberation War people by taking interviews of concerned persons in Natore area for three years. I checked every single name through speaking to multiple sources before publishing this book. My information is accurate."

"Besides, I did not even know MP Shimul or his father personally," Prof Kumar said.

Contacted, MP Shimul told The Daily Star yesterday that he has never met or spoken to the RU teacher.

The lawmaker said Prof Kumar provided false information and included his father's name as a razakar in the book. "He knew that I will file a case against him for this, so he filed a GD beforehand," he added.

"I think someone may have influenced him to file the GD. I have spoken to the police superintendent and DIG to find out who are involved in this," said MP Shimul.