The University of Dhaka (DU) on Tuesday temporarily suspended three teachers after finding evidence supporting allegations that they took a position against students during the July Uprising.

The syndicate also decided to suspend Dr Md Ziaur Rahman (Sayeem Rana), an associate professor of the Department of Music, over allegations that he did not meet the educational qualifications specified in the recruitment circular, said Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane.

He also said the “Anti-Fascist Teachers’ Association” had brought allegations against several teachers over their opposition to students during the uprising. Following the allegations, the university administration formed a fact-finding committee, which found the allegations against the three professors to be substantiated.

The three suspended teachers are Dr M Wahiduzzaman, a professor at the Institute of Education and Research; Dr Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, also a professor at the same institute; and Dr Mashiur Rahman, a professor of the Department of Sociology.

Ziaur Rahman is alleged to have been appointed to the Department of Music despite holding honours and master’s degrees in Islamic Studies.

His MPhil and PhD degrees are in music. However, the recruitment circular required candidates to have honours and master’s degrees in music.

After the allegation came to light, the university administration formed a fact-finding committee headed by Professor Dr Abul Kalam Sarker, dean of the Faculty of Arts, to conduct an initial verification.

The committee’s findings were later placed before the syndicate, which approved his suspension.

The pro-VC said the university administration has now formed a higher-level investigation committee to examine the allegations against the teachers for their alleged role during the July Uprising.

“A tribunal has also been formed. They will be tried by the tribunal based on the recommendations of the investigation committee,” he said.

He said the tribunal would comprise five persons, including representatives of the university’s syndicate and senate, as well as a representative of the accused teachers.