DUCSU leader leads chase as Prof Jamal leaves campus after harassment claims

A Dhaka University professor aligned with the Awami League–backed Blue Panel has been chased off campus after students confronted him over an alleged unauthorised meeting at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The incident unfolded shortly after 1pm on Thursday when sociology department Prof AKM Jamal Uddin and fellow Blue Panel academic Prof Zeenat Huda visited the faculty building.

Several students claim the group had gathered there for a “secret meeting”. Word of the meeting spread quickly, drawing students to the area.

As Prof Jamal and the accompanying teachers left the building, students led by Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair began pursuing him.

Footage circulating on social media shows Zubair grabbing Prof Jamal's hoodie as he attempted to break free and flee down the stairs. Prof Jamal eventually ran towards a waiting vehicle. Zubair followed, trying to stop the door from closing and pull him out before the car drove away.

Zubair, elected from an independent panel, later wrote on Facebook: "The notorious Awami League teacher Jamal, who said 'Rajakar's kids should be caught and shot’, along with Zeenat and five other teachers came to campus today and participated in a secret meeting.

“Upon receiving the information, we caught them and tried to hand them over to police. But unfortunately, they escaped in a car prepared beforehand!"

He alleged that students of the department had boycotted classes and examinations, asking how the teachers “still dared to enter the campus”.

He pressed the authorities for tougher action, insisting there could be “no coexistence with killers” and demanding that all involved be “brought to justice soon”.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed he was off campus at the time but acknowledged earlier tension.

“When Professor Jamal came to the campus, students of the Sociology Department protested. We then assured the students that he would not come again. We also told him not to come. Yet he still came.”