Principal of Bangladesh Dental College (BDC) Prof Dr Labuda Sultana has allegedly been forced to resign her post under pressure from some of her colleagues.
The BDC is located in Dhanmondi area of the capital city of Dhaka.
Vice-principal of the college Dr Farhana Chowdhury and Dr Shefar Ibnul Kashem, along with some teachers and outsiders allegedly forced Dr Sultana into signing a resignation letter on August 11.
A 7-minute audio and video clip related to Dr Sultana’s resignation is available with the Bangladesh Post. In the audio clip, Dr Farhana was heard shouting at someone, saying, “You’ve been in power for a long time, evil woman. We don’t want you here anymore. Sign now.”
Then a male voice was heard using the similar abusive language. However, there was no presence of any students or no voice was heard
at that time. Then, Dr Sultana was heard saying, “Give me 24 hours, I will resign.”
Upon hearing this, Dr Kashem shouted, “Resign today, resign today.”
College sources said that Dr Sultana joined as the principal of the Bangladesh Dental College through Dhaka University principal selection board in 2012.
During a visit to the dental college on Wednesday and Thursday, this correspondent found the college section of the institution closed, but many were working in the administrative building. The college canteen on the ground floor was open.
After entering Dr. Farhana office room on the second floor, this correspondent saw lots of bouquets lying in the room. Four men and one woman were also present in her room. When asked about the details of Dr Sultana’s resignation, Dr Farhana said, “Bangladesh Dental College is a trustee institution, and Uttara Adhunik Hospital runs under the same trustee board. The principal and vice-principal there have also been ousted by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the same has happened here (dental college).”
“Dr Sultana kept the vice principal post of the college vacant for 12 years. She didn’t want anyone to take that position. I joined here three months ago, so naturally, fingers are pointing at me,” she added.
Dr Farhana said she had nothing more to say. “You should better talk to others in the higher administration.”
When asked about the use of abusive language, she refused to talk over the matter.
No one was found on the third floor of the college building, but a staff member told this correspondent to talk to a member of the EC committee of Bangladesh Dental College on the first floor of the physiotherapy section.
An EC committee member, on condition of anonymity, said, “The dental college is a trustee institution, and no one can take money from here. However, Dr Sultana used to receive a monthly salary of Tk 1.5 lakh. She took this hefty amount of salary in collaboration with the trustee chairman.
He (the committee member) alleged that recently when two generators were needed for two elevators, Dr Sultana bought them without any tender.
He also claimed that she never participated in any elections. For these reasons, the students involved in the student quota movement demanded her resignation, and she resigned.
However, another woman trustee and two employees of the college in his room said Dr Sultana was not involved in any financial dealings or purchases. Her image regarding financial transactions was good, as recorded in the audio.
To learn more about the incident, Dr Kashem was contacted, and he told this correspondent to meet him at the college canteen. Upon reaching the canteen, it was found that Dr Kashem was there with about 50 college students. Dr Kashem introduced another person as the coordinator of the anti-discrimination movement for talking to this correspondent.
However, the student (coordinator) refused to disclose his name but presented 14 demands of the students and requested for their publication in the media.
When asked for his statement regarding the incident, Dr Kashem refused to make any comment.
The next day, after verifying his identity, that student was called. While talking to him, the student said he was actually the coordinator of the dental college’s internal movement, not a coordinator of the anti-discrimination movement.
When asked about Dr Sultana’s resignation, he cut the call without any comment
While writing this report on Saturday, it was also known that Dr Kashem and Dr Farhana were inciting the students, which led to vandalism of the college’s secretary and physiotherapy rooms. It was also reported that those who spoke to journalists were being pressured.
Dr Sultana told the Bangladesh Post, “I had been nurturing the college for over a decade. I have been ousted from this institution. What was my crime? This is a misguided path that the innocent students have taken—what is the future of the students?”
“I’m not corrupt. Let them prove what corruption I have committed. Why did they harass me so much in the name of removal? I asked for nothing but 24 hours’ time. Don’t I deserve a little respect? I will take legal action against the harassment and assault inflicted on me,” she added.
In this regard, College Trustee Maj Gen Rafiqul Islam said, “Dr Sultana was not involved in the purchase and sale at the dental college because the trustee board entirely manages it. However, according to the constitution of our private trustee organisation, the position would be changed within eight years. Dr Sultana had been in the job for a long time, which many may not have liked.”
“Hence, such an incident occurred. However, her term was due to expire next month. I strongly condemn such incident that happened to her,” he added.
The 14 demands from the students and doctors of Bangladesh Dental College are as follows: Immediate reform of the constitution and BMSRI. Resignation of all corrupt officials. The college must be entirely free from political influence and partisan activities. There should be no political parties except for the general student organisation or forum. Intern doctors must be paid Tk 20,000 per month according to government regulations. The extra 10 months' salary must be refunded immediately. SOPD must be cancelled or restructured. BMSRI should be reorganised, and an intern council should be formed. Final-year students should be allowed to start professional work. No fees should be charged for more than 60 months. No salary cuts should be made for extensions, or we will not accept extensions. If a student fails to take a professional exam more than twice, the college and the respective department will be held accountable. Student facilities must be improved. Financial support must be provided to students for study tours, sports, and extra-curricular activities.
