20 August 2024: The Deans of Arts Faculty and Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, tendered their resignations on Monday, following intense student protests.
Multiple reports said that the resignation of Professor Abdul Bashir, the Dean of Arts Faculty, came after students accused him of being unfit for his role and supporting those oppressing students during recent campus protests. Students also alleged that he obstructed the recitation of the Holy Quran on campus during Ramadan, further fueling their discontent.
Following his resignation, a group of students gathered at Professor Bashir’s office to recite verses from the Holy Quran and offer prayers for his guidance, with the former Dean in attendance. Earlier in the day, around 12:30 pm, Arts Faculty students had formally visited the Dean’s office to request his resignation.
Meanwhile, Professor Nisar Uddin, the Dean of Fine Arts Faculty, also stepped down at around 3:30 pm after Fine Arts students, who had been protesting since early afternoon, demanded his resignation.
In a related development, students from the Law Faculty staged demonstrations, calling for the resignation of their Dean and department chairman, Dr. Rahmatullah. In response to his absence, the students locked and sealed the Dean’s office door, intensifying their protest.
These resignations come amid a growing wave of student unrest at Dhaka University, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the university’s administration.
