DHAKA, Aug 23, 2020 (BSS) – The Dhaka University (DU) authorities today
observed ‘Black Day’ marking the attack on the institution’s teachers,
students and employees on August 20 to 23, 2007, during the military-backed
caretaker government.
Teachers, students, officials and employees of the university wore black
badges marking the day, said a DU press release.
To mark the day, a discussion was held at the Abdul Matin Virtual
Classroom adjunct to the VC’s office through virtual platform with DU Vice-
Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
DU Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Muhammad Samad, Pro-VC (Academic) Dr ASM
Maksud Kamal, General Secretary of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) Dr Nizamul
Hoque Bhuiyan, among others, were present on the occasion.
While addressing the DU VC said non-elected and anti-democratic government
is responsible for such an inhuman attack on the university’s teachers,
students and officials on August 20 to 23, 2007.
The attack was against the spirit of Liberation War as well as the value
of democracy, added the VC.
Akhtaruzzaman urged all to remain alert to stop any conspiracy in the
country.
On August 20 in 2007, some military members severely beat up students and
a violent clash ensued between them centering a football match at DU central
playground.
Thousands of DU students took to the streets protesting the incident and
demanded withdrawal of the army camp from the campus and an apology from the
troops.
The protest afterwards spread to all the educational institutions across
the country.
Following the clash, the then army-backed caretaker government imposed a
curfew on the divisional cities and later arrested four DU teachers – Prof Dr
Anwar Hossain, Prof Dr Sadrul Amin, Prof Dr Harun-or-Rashid and Prof Dr Neem
Chandra Bhowmick and several students on August 23 and tortured them.
The university observes August 23 as the Black Day every year.