DU teacher challenges syndicate order of forced leave

Dr Rushad Faridi, a professor of Dhaka University’s Economics department, has sent legal notice to Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique and five others, demanding they reconsider a syndicate decision that sent him on forced leave. “The legal notice was sent to the DU VC, pro-VC (education), pro-VC (administration), and the Registrar and Economics department chairmen on Monday, for reply within 48 hours,” Dr Rushad’s lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said. “Proper procedures have not been followed in sending Dr Rushad Faridi on compulsory leave. It was not even mentioned why such a decision was taken against him,” he added. “There is no provision in the University Act that allows the syndicate to send any staff member on compulsory leave. It is sad when an institution like this university takes such decision,” Jyotirmoy Barua further said. On Wednesday afternoon, Dr Rushad Faridi told the Dhaka Tribune: “I sent the legal notice asking why I was sent on forced leave, even though the syndicate has no right to take such a decision. The Vice Chancellor alone can do so, as per the law of the university.” “The syndicate didn’t give any specific reason or mention the duration of the forced leave. Besides, I was not given any chance to defend myself,” Dr Rushad added. When contacted, Economics department Chairperson Professor Nazma Begum said she could not comment as the matter was under investigation. The VC’s office on Wednesday confirmed that they had received the legal notice. A syndicate meeting, chaired by VC Arefin Siddique, took the decision to send Dr Rushad Faridi on compulsory leave on July 13. Syndicate member Professor Farid Ahmed said: “Thirty-one teachers have raised allegations against Dr Rushad and said they will not work with him.” “A committee has been formed to look into the allegations, and the teacher has been sent on compulsory leave while the investigation takes place,” he added. Earlier, in 2012, Dr Rushad Faridi was sent on compulsory leave on charges of having a relationship with a female student. “The university authorities asked me to assume office the following year, as they found no evidence against me,” Dr Rushad said.