Dhaka University officials stopped a scheduled discussion on the national curriculum shortly before it was set to begin, citing the discussion as anti-government.
The Dhaka University Teachers Network planned to organize a program titled "National Curriculum 2021: Why We Are Worried" at DU`s RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium at 2:00pm.
Professor Tanjimuddin Khan, one of the organizers, told the media that they were in the middle of hanging banners in the auditorium when Prof Abdul Bashir, the dean of the Arts Faculty, called and said the booking for the venue had been cancelled.
Prof Bashir said that they had to cancel the program due to a call from a "special place," without specifying what that "special place" was.
"We came to know that an anti-government discussion would be held here, and we cannot allow it," he said.
Prof Tanjimuddin expressed concern, saying, "By cancelling the booking, the university authorities have set a bad example, and it will be recorded in the history of the university.
"It goes against the spirit of the university and it is a violation of the Dhaka University Order-1973," he said.
Following the cancellation, they placed two posters at the auditorium`s entrance, criticizing "party slaves" and declaring that "curbs on freedom of speech will not be tolerated at the university."
The organizers are moving the event to Aparajeya Bangla, where it will be followed by a protest rally with attendees wearing black badges.When asked about the infringement of the Dhaka University Order, 1973, Prof Bashir said that he was not entirely aware of the rules but that, as a responsible person, he could not allow any anti-state activities for the sake of the university`s conducive circumstances.
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