DHAKA, April 18, 2022 (BSS) - President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) Professor Rahmat Ullah today apologised for his remarks on Khandaker Mushtaque and for the tribute he paid to the person, who was one of the chief conspirators behind the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"If I said anything inadvertently while speaking at the discussion marking historic Mujibnagar Day on April 18, it was a mistake. For this, I personally apologise," he told a press conference this morning at Dhaka University Club while clarifying his stance over his remarks on Mushtaq.

Rahmat said, "I have been working for the interest of the country and the nation by remaining steadfast in the spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

“In 2004, during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, I was elected a syndicate member in the lecturer category for the first time from the Blue Panel,” he said, adding, "Since then, I have been nominated many times from the Blue Panel and elected as the General Secretary and President of the Senate, Syndicate, deans and teachers' association".  

"I have been working for the welfare of the pro-Liberation War forces and for the teachers and students of Dhaka University," he furthered.

Later, Prof Rahmat Ullah apologised terming what sounded like praising Khandaker Mushtaque "unintentional".

Meanwhile, leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Dhaka University unit submitted a memorandum to the university Vice-chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman protesting Professor Rahmat Ullah's remark and demanding academic punishment against him.

BCL DU unit president Sonjit Chandra Das and general secretary Hussain Saddam handed over the memorandum to the VC.

Expressing solidarity with the BCL activists, the VC accepted the memorandum and said, "I hope this issue will be resolved. If any untoward incident arises, the way BCL activists protest in a responsible manner, any problem can be solved."

"I sincerely thank the students of Dhaka University for condemning and protesting this issue with a civil approach and language."

Earlier on Sunday, during a discussion organized by Dhaka University at the TSC auditorium on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day on April 18, it was alleged that Professor Rahmat Ullah paid tribute to Bangabandhu's murderer Khandaker Mostaq Ahmad.