It was a special day for the country's premier institution, Dhaka University, yesterday as it marked its 95th founding anniversary.

But the celebration programme saw demonstrations, suspension of a top official and vandalism over an "unprecedented mistake" in the university's annual souvenir book.

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League DU unit attacked VC Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and vandalised his car after finding out that the souvenir described Ziaur Rahman as the first president of Bangladesh.

Arefin Siddique was in his car when it came under attack and escaped unhurt. The BCL men kept the main entrance of the VC's residence under lock and key since 5:00pm and continued their demonstration in front of the residence until 8:15pm when a four-member delegation of BCL leaders went inside the residence to meet him.

Coming out the residence an hour later, central Chhatra League's president and general secretary Saifur Rahman Sohag and Zakir Hossain called off their demonstration.

The acting registrar of the university, Syed Rezaur Rahman, who was publisher of the booklet, was suspended following the incident.

The souvenir was also confiscated, and the VC announced withdrawing all the copies.

In an article styled "Smritite Amlan" of the souvenir, Rezaur gave a brief description of the country's brave sons after whose names the dormitories have been named.

Talking about the Zia Hall which was named after Ziaur Rahman, the souvenir reads, “Zia was Bangladesh's first president, a former military chief and valiant freedom fighter.”

A speaker at a pre-scheduled discussion on the university day at the TSC brought the issue to everyone's notice, triggering protests by Chhatra League activists.

Rezaur Rahman offered an apology for the incident and claimed: "It was a printing mistake.”

But aggrieved BCL leaders and activists confined him in his office for around 40 minutes and set fire to a copy of the souvenir.

Later, around 500 BCL activists started demonstrating in front of the VC's residence demanding resignation of the registrar and the VC.

When the VC was coming to his house by his car, the BCL activists led by its DU unit president Abid Al Hasan and general secretary Motahar Hossain Prince attacked him and vandalised the car with sticks around 2:45pm. Some university teachers and reporters saved him and took him to his residence.

The activists brandished shoes after the VC entered his residence.

The VC signed the letter of suspension for Syed Rezaur Rahman in the afternoon after holding a meeting with university Pro VCs, Pro Awami League Blue panel teachers and police officials.

Later, BCL central committee vice-president Anwar Hossain Anu locked the residence gate of the VC around 5:00pm. BCL activists of its city units, Dhaka College and other institutions also joined at a sit-in from VC's gate and chanted slogans against him.

The DU unit of the BCL gave an ultimatum till 8:00pm for the resignation of the VC and threatened to wage an indefinite strike on the campus if he did not quit.

The VC will have to shoulder the responsibility of the publication, said Abid Al Hasan, president of campus unit of Chhatra League. “He will have to resign by 8:00pm today [yesterday].”

“We will go for indefinite strike on the campus from tomorrow [today] if our demand is not met,” he warned.

Around 8:15pm, BCL leaders Saifur, Zakir, Abid and Motahar went inside the residence of the VC. An hour later, they in a press briefing called off their movement following assurance from the VC of taking necessary action against the culprits who, in the annual souvenir book, mentioned Ziaur Rahman as the first president of Bangladesh.

"The registrar has already been suspended and the VC sir told us that an investigation committee is working to find out who were responsible. So we are calling off our movement," said Saifur.

Abid, however, told The Daily Star that the VC did not meet them although they waited for an hour at his residence.

He declined to say anything on Saifur's comment.

UNPRECEDENTED MISTAKE: VC

In a press briefing at his official residence on the campus, Arefin Siddique said the mistake in question was “unprecedented” and that “appropriate action” would be taken after investigation.

"There was a great mistake in the annual book. We have withdrawn the publication and suspended its writer acting Registrar Syed Rezaur Rahman," the VC said.

“It was Rezaur's byline publication and so he will be held responsible.”

Talking to The Daily Star, the VC alleged that it was an "instigation from a malicious quarter” that led the students to attack his car.