DU relieves AKM Golam Rabbani of Islamic History dept chair post

Dr AKM Golam Rabbani, professor at Dhaka University and former proctor, has been relieved of his duties as chairman of the university’s Islamic History and Culture Department.

The decision was approved today by Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, confirmed Rafiqul Islam Panna, acting director of the DU Public Relations Office.

“Rabbani has been relieved of his position by the Dhaka University authorities considering legal opinion, the views of students of the concerned department, and the demand of Ducsu,” Panna said, noting that the move also took into account an ongoing criminal case against Rabbani in Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court.

Following the decision, Arts Faculty Dean Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan has been appointed as acting chairman of the department.

Rabbani's removal comes just a day after Ducsu Literature and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, along with several hall union leaders, submitted a memorandum demanding his suspension.

In their memorandum, student leaders alleged that Rabbani had patronised attacks on students during his tenure as proctor and had taken a position against the July uprising.

They warned that if he was not removed within 24 hours, the university administration would bear full responsibility for any situation that might arise.