DU observes ‘Black Day’

Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman yesterday said  the then un-elected and undemocratic government  was responsible for the  condemnable, unprecedented and inhuman attack on the teachers and  students of the university on August 20-23, 2007.

He made the remark while speaking at a virtual discussion organised marking the "University Black Day'. 

The Black Day is observed on August 23 every year, to protest the assault on and mass roundup of students and teachers by army personnel in  2007. 

Prof Akhtaruzzaman presided over the function. 

Praising the role of DU teachers and students, the VC said the anarchy by then military-backed interim  government was contradictory to the spirit of the Liberation War and  democratic values. 

Urging everyone to remain alert against any such ill-attempts, he further said anti-liberation  war and undemocratic forces had always chosen the month of August to  unleash attacks on the spirit of the country and to materialise their evil dreams.

On August 20, 2007, students protested against law enforcers's assault on  some students and teachers on the university playground. The protest  continued till August 23. 

Scores of students were wounded in police action during the incident, and four senior teachers and seven students were also put in jail. 

Teachers, officials and staffers of the university yesterday wore black badges in remembrance of the violence. 

Among others, DU pro-vice-chancellor (Admin) Prof Muhammad Samad,  pro-vc(education) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, University Grants Commission  member Prof Anwar Hossain, DU Teachers' Association acting president  Lutfor Rahman and general secretary Prof Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan also took part in the discussion.