Dhaka University relieves viral singing professor of academic duties

Dhaka University has relieved a professor who recently went viral on social media for singing popular Bangladeshi songs from all academic duties following complaints from teachers and students, university sources said Tuesday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the university's Syndicate, its highest decision-making body, on Monday night. The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chancellor A B M Obaidul Islam.

According to university officials, Professor Chowdhury Md. Tashrik-e-Habib of the Department of Bangla was removed from academic responsibilities based on recommendations from the department's Academic Committee.

The move follows allegations against the professor, including claims that his activities on social media had tarnished the image of the university.

Tashrik-e-Habib recently gained widespread attention online after posting performances of popular Bangladeshi songs on social media platforms. His renditions of songs by renowned folk singer Shah Abdul Karim, rock icon James, and actor-singer Fazlur Rahman Babu attracted significant engagement on Facebook and other platforms.

Several of his performances quickly went viral, drawing both praise and criticism. The controversy sparked strong reactions from a section of students, some of whom questioned whether the professor's online activities were appropriate for a faculty member at Bangladesh's premier public university.

University authorities have not yet disclosed whether the decision is temporary or whether further disciplinary action will follow. Nor have they publicly detailed the specific complaints lodged against the professor.