1971 Dhaka University massacre

Monument in honour of those killed at Dhaka University. Located at Mol Chottor DU

Dhaka University is the center for development of Independence of Bangladesh. Dhaka University has greatly contributed to the liberation of Bangladesh.

In March of 1971 the Pakistani Armed Forces chief General Yahya Khan and the politician Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, launched Operation Searchlight to demolish the independence demand of East Bengalis.

Black night of 25 March 1971

The Pakistani army convoy attacking Dhaka University on 25 March, 1971 included 18 Panjabi, 22 Beluch, 32 Panjabi regiment and several battalions. Armed with heavy weapons such as tanks, automatic rifles, rocket launchers, heavy mortar, light machine gun they encircled Dhaka University from east (unit 41), from south (unit 88) and from north (unit 26).^[1]

Massacre of teachers

At the beginning of Operation Searchlight 10 teachers of Dhaka University were killed.^[2]

Professor Fajllur Rahman and his two relatives were killed at building 23 situated at Nilkhet. Professor Rahman’s wife escaped because she was abroad. Pakistani army also attacked the house of Professor Anwar Pasha and Professor Rashidul Hassan (English Department). Both of them survived by hiding under beds, but were killed later on the verge of war by Al-Badar militia.^[3] At number 24 there was Professor Rafiqul Islam of Bangla literature department. Two wounded women with their children stayed in the entrance for some time. When the army came they found blood on the stairs and, surmising that other groups had done the massacre, left. Professor Rafiqul escaped this way. Later he stated that there had been one East Pakistani professor at that building, who left home before 25 March. All other non-Bengali families did the same without informing others.^[4]

At Number 12 Fuller road army called on Sayed Ali Noki (Professor Social science). The allowed him to go but killed Professor Abdul Muktadir (Geology) who was resident of the same building. His dead body was found at Jahurul Hoq Hall (then Iqbal hall). Later he was buried at Paltan by his relatives. Professor K. M. Munim (English literature), the house tutor of Salimullah student hall, was injured at Salimullah Hall. Professors A R Khan Khadim and Sharafat Ali of Mathematics department were killed in Dhaka Hall. At Jagannath Hall they attacked teachers' residence and harassed Professor Mirja Huda (Economics) and Professor Mofijullah Kabir (History).

While attacking Jagannath Hall, a student dormitory for minority Hindu student, the provost house was also affected. Army killed Ex-Provost and famous professor of philosophy G. C. Dev with his Muslim adopted daughter’s husband. Later they attacked university staff quarters and killed Professor of Statistics Dr. Manirujjaman along with his son and relatives. Professor Jotirmoy Guha Thakurota the provost of Jagannath hall was severely injured by army attack and died in the hospital later.^[5] Dormitory electrician Chitrabali and eye witness Rajkumari Devi states that the doctors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital recognized Dr .Thakuraota and buried him under a tree near Dhaka Medical College Morgue.

Professor Monirujjaman and Jotirmoy Guha Thakurota were kept together and killed. Assistant house tutor Anudoipayon Bhattacharja was also killed at that dorm.^[6] This information was got from the novel “Riffel Roti Awrat” (Riffle bread Women) by Professor Anwar Pasha who was later killed at December. Professor Pasha wrote this famous Bengali Novel, during 9 month war period of 1971.

Killing of students

The Non-tolerance movement was organized under the banner of “Independent Bangladesh Students Movement Council” from Jahrul Hoque hall of Dhaka University. First target of Operation Searchlight was this student hall. By 25 March all leaders of Chatra league had left the hall. According to Professor Dr. K. M. Munim around 200 students were killed at this dorm.

After 12 o’clock army entered Jagannath hall and initially attacked with martyr to the hall, and began non-stop firing. They entered through north and south gate and killed students non-selectively from each room. Around 34 students were killed at that time. Some students of Jahannath Hall were resident of Ramna Kali bari. So, around 5/6 were killed there. Among them only the name of Ramonimohon Vattachaja is known. Many guests of students who were at those dorms were also killed. Including Helal of Bhairab college, Babul Paul of Bajitpur College, Baddruddojha of Jagannath Hall, Jibon Sarkar, Mostaq, Bacchu and Amar of Netrokona.^[3] Archar K Blood, the then consul general of Dhaka, wrote in his book “The Cruel birth of Bangladesh”. Fire was set at Rokeya Hall (girl’s dormitory) and when student tried to escape military started firing. From the conversation of military control room and army unit 88 at total of 300 students death was estimated.^[7]

Killing of staff

Jahurul Hoq hall attacking convoy initially killed EPR guards guarding British Council building. They killed hall staff: Shirajul Hoq, Ali Hossain, Shohorab Ali Gaji, and Abdul Majid at University teachers lounge. At Rokeya Hall Chottor Ahmed Ali, Abdul Khalec, Nomi, Md. Solaiman Khan, Md. Nurul Islam, Md Hafizuddin, Md. Chunnu Miya were killed with their family.

Shahid Minar and Bangla Academy attacking convoy, also attacked Shahidullah hall associated teacher’s houses and home of Madhushudhan De. At building 11, teacher of University Laboratory School, Md. Sadeq was killed. Army left around 50 dead bodies, including some Police officers (escaped from Rajarbag Police line), President House guarding Bengali EPR members and general people from Nilkhet Basti in the roof of university residential building-23.^[3]

Between March 25 and March 27, Pakistan Army destroyed three temples belonging to religious minority. Those were Arts building associated Guruduwara (Sikhism), Ramna Kali Temple and Ramna Shiva Temple (Hinduism) opposite to Shahid Minar. At that night stuff of Philosophy department Khagen De, his son Motilal de, University stuff Shushil Chandra De, Bodhiram, Dakkhuram, Vimroy, Moniram, Jaharlala Rajvar, Monvaran Roy, Plumber Rajvar, Shankar Kuri were killed.^[3]

Attack at girls dormitory

Archar K Blood the then consul general of Dhaka wrote in his book, ‘The cruel birth of Bangladesh’, “Fire was set at girls dormitory Rokeya Hall and when students tried to escape military starts firing. At 10 November 1971 some armed criminals attacked Rokeya hall and keep 30 girls closed for two hours. They also attacked provost house”. In 1971 there were two strong military establishments near Rokeya hall, it was impossible to attack university Girl’s hostel without their knowledge for two hours.^[7]

Academic activities at 1971

Governor Tikka Khan ordered department heads to join work from 21 April and the other teachers at 1 June. According to his order, classes must be started from August 2. To show a quite fine educational environment at the university to the international communities all the dormitories were cleaned to remove any signs of destruction. All exams were postponed due to the national crisis. Attendance in the class was to minute at that period. Interestingly, as the forces of war increased till September, attendance in the classes also increased. As many students had joined the Mukti bahini (liberation force), they blasted hand grenades near the university and quickly entered classes. This is why the army failed to arrest any one.^[4]

Warning, arresting and punishment of teachers

For known connections with liberation force, Tikka Khan issued arrest orders against many teachers and arrested some of them. Among them there were Dr. Abul Khayer, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Dr. K. A. M. Salauddin, Ahsanul Hoque, Giasuddin Ahmed, Jahrul Hoque and M. Shahidullah. Martial law Governor Lieutenant General Tikka Khan officially warned Professor Munir Chowdhury, Professor Nilima Ibrahim, Professor Shirajul Islam Chowdhury, and Professor Enamul Hoque. Dr. Abu Muhammah Habibullah was terminated. Professor Abdur Razzak (political scientists and later National Professor of Bangladesh) was given 14 years in jail due to supporting Bengali Independent movement.^[8]

Vice chancellor during 1971

During 1971 Dhaka University was without any VC. At early March the running VC Justice Abu Sayed Chowdhury was at Geneva joining “United Nation’s Humanitarian Conference”. At the middle of March he read news about death of two students. He immediately wrote to State’s Education Secretary with his resign letter and fled to London leaving the conference. There he worked for Bangladeshi liberation.^[9] After the independence of Bangladesh, he became the country's second president.

Pakistan Army fetch Dr. Syed Sajjad Hussain the then VC of Rajshahi University in their convoy. He was made VC of Dhaka University. University teachers who helped Pakistan government included Dr. Hasan Zaman, Dr. Mohar Ali, Dr. A. K. M. Abdur Rahman, Dr. Abdul Bari, Dr. Mukbul Hossain, Dr. Saifuddin Joarder. Collaborator and VC Dr. Syed Sajjad Hussain, Dr. Hasan Zaman and Dr. Mohar Ali was arrested after liberation of Bangladesh and exiled.^[10]

Massacre at 14 December 1971

In December, the it got clear to the Pakistan Government that would lose the war. When Dhaka University re-opened on 2nd July 1971, collaborator teachers gathered at Nawab Abdul Gani Road to build up a list of intellectuals who supported Bengali Independent movement. Till then, Pakistan Army trained a group of Pakistan supporting Madrasa, College and University students secretly. This group was named Al Badar. At the verge of the war Al-Badar members came out and selectively killed Bengali Professors, Doctors, Engineers and many other intellectuals. Many of them were teachers of Dhaka University.

See also

• Bangladesh Liberation War
• 1971 Bangladesh atrocities
• Operation Searchlight
• Recipients of Bangladeshi military awards in 1971
• Artistic depictions of Bangladesh Liberation War
• Timeline of the Bangladesh War
• Mukti Bahini
• Liberation War Museum
• List of massacres in Bangladesh

References

1. ^ Witness To Surrender: by Siddiq Salik; Chapter: Operation Search Light-1 ISBN 9-840-51373-7
2. ^ Annual Report: Dhaka University 1971-72, Dr. Mafijullah Kabir
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Martyrs of Liberation. War at Jagannath Hall by Ratanlal Chakrabarti
4. ^ ^{a b} 80 Years of Dhaka University; Professor Rafiqul Islam ISBN 984-412-341-0
5. ^ Martyrs of Liberation. War at Jagannath Hall by Ratanlal Chakrabarti
6. ^ "Riffle Roti Awrat": Professor Anwar Pasha
7. ^ ^{a b} The Cruel Birth of Bangladesh; Archar K. Blood ISBN 9840516507
8. ^ Banglapedia:Razzak Abdur
9. ^ Role of Overseas: Bengalees in the Liberation Struggle of Bangladesh , Abdul Matin; ISBN 0907546099
10. ^ Dainik Bangla:3 October 1971