Prof Altaf Hossain

Rajshahi University teachers including a former vice chancellor, members of syndicate and senate and student leaders yesterday demanded neutral investigation into alleged corruption, nepotism, irregularities and politicisation by removed RU vice chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain.
The Ministry of Education in a letter sent to the Office of the Vice Chancellor on Thursday mentioned that RU vice chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain was removed from his post considering the public interest.
The teachers urged the caretaker government chief to remove all corrupt and politically appointed people from important administrative positions in RU.
They also demanded punishment of the people who were involved in corruption, irregularities and violating university rules.
The government should investigate Prof Altaf's corruption and ensure his punishment, former RU vice chancellor Prof Saidur Rahman Khan told The Daily Star.
A competent vice chancellor should be appointed to play role for removing corruption and irregularities from the university, he said.
Only removal of persons is not enough for removing corruption, irregularities and politicisation from the RU and other public universities, RU Syndicate member Prof Abdus Sobhan said, adding that all the appointment processes during the tenure of Prof Altaf should be investigated.
Several teachers of the university suffered in jail although they did not commit any crime and now just removal from the post cannot be enough punishment for a corrupt person, Prof Moloy Kumar Bhowmik said.
The government should take necessary action against Prof Altaf after investigating into his corruption, he said.
Prof Altaf illegally recruited a few hundred teachers ignoring Planning Committee decision, former Syndicate member Prof Fayekuzzman said.
He also patronised the killers of RU Prof S Taher Ahmed, he said.
If the government wants to reform public universities, they should punish corrupt people after investigation, he said.
No senate meeting was called during Prof Altaf's tenure, which is violation of university rules, said Prof Anando Kumar Saha, a senate member of RU.
RU Bangabandhu Parishad president, also former RUTA general secretary, Prof Muklesur Rahman said Prof Altaf should face trial for his involvement in activities that are against public interest.
Bangladesh Chhatra League RU unit, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Jasad Chhatra League in separate statements on RU campus demanded neutral investigation into Prof Altaf's corruption, irregularities and politicisation and ensuring his punishment.
Many teachers, senate members and former syndicate members have demanded removal of all corrupt and politically appointed people from RU administration and their trial.