A group of teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) demanded withdrawal of the honorary doctorate degrees from the three former Pakistani rulers. Under the banner of ‘Council for Honorary Doctorate Degree Withdrawal Movement’, the protesters pressed home their demands at a pre-scheduled sit-in program at Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus on Thursday.
Mentioned, the honorary degrees were awarded to former autocrat ruler Ayub Khan, President Iskandar Mirza and the country’s then Premier Khawaja Nazimuddin, by the university before the independence of Bangladesh. The protesters also gave DU authorities an ultimatum till February 23 to withdraw the degrees awarded to the three controversial Pakistani leaders referring to them as oppressors and enemies of the country.
DU Linguistics department Professor Dr Sakhawat Ansari, who is the convenor of the movement, also read out a written statement to press home their demands.
