Dhaka University authorities cancelled the booking for the venue before a scheduled discussion on the national curriculum, claiming that the discussion was against government.
The Dhaka University Teachers Network had planned to hold the discussion titled “National Curriculum 2021: Why We are Worried” at DU’s RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium at 2:00pm.
Professor Tanjimuddin Khan, one of the organisers, informed that they were in the process of hanging banners at the auditorium when Prof Abdul Bashir, the dean of the Arts Faculty, called him and said they have cancelled the booking for the venue.
In this case, Prof Bashir said they had to cancel the programme based on a call from a “special place”, without elaborating what the “special place” was.
“We came to know that an anti-government discussion would be held here, and we cannot allow it,” he said.
“By cancelling the booking, the university authorities have set a bad example, and it will be recorded in the history of the university.” Said professor Tanjim.
“It goes against the spirit of the university and it is a violation of the Dhaka University Order-1973,” he added.
At last, the organisers relocated their programme to Aparajeya Bangla, where they held the event briefly followed by a protest rally with participants wearing black badges.
