& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

DOWN THE MEMORY LANE

Those Old Days of Jagannath College

by Md Irshadullah Former Principal. Jagannath College
Friends and colk-anues wire surprised when they heard that on OetObOT I. 1987 I had joined as Principal. Jagannath CoIte gc. Dhaka. on deputation To them this college was then a hot-bad of 'nasty polities.' where any thing might happen at any lime
In early sisties, when I was tn Chittagong College, I had similar chance to join as Principal. M M College. Jessorc and, later. Victoria College. ComiHa. but I did not. Again. I was appointed Prtn clpal. Govt A M College. Mymenstngh to absentia Thal was because my services were i hen at the disposal of Establishment Division tn the Secretariat, for "revising and re writing" ihe District Gazetteer — a job I found exceedingly fascinating. I would have continued there till the end. had not the ’challenge' to join Jagannath College come tn my way. I was reminded of Shakespeare's Immortal words:
"There's a divinity that shapes our ends.
Hough-hew them how we will."
Why did I call the offer to join Jagannath College a challenge? Because of my early as socialion with the holy atmosphere that permeated thro-
ugh the environment around this campus In mtd-thlrttcs I was then just a boy. a student of Islamic Intermediate College (1935-37). which was at first Mohstnia Madrasah and at present is Kabt Nazrul College. On my way lo and from the college, I passed through this campus, and saw some of the personages who hallowceT'-ft. Sometimes I paused lo listen to the lectures delivered 1n the classes. Ray Bahadur Satycn Bhadra, a great scholar in English literature, was the Principal. In different functions I heard his lectures in English. I also heard those of Sir A F Rahman. Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Madam Alfonso and Sujata Roy. Principal of Eden College and Quamrun Ncsa College, respec -lively, which were also 1n this area and Brothers of St. Gregory's School and Mr Akhanji. Superintendent. Normal School were also here to complete the galaxy of the learned people who inspired their admirers in a wider cir-
ll was. Indeed, thal Influence which made me changv my ixiursc of studies and take Honours and Master'll degrees in English from Dhaka University in 1940 and 19-4 1 respectively, and join on July 13. 1942 as a Lecturer in English. Islamia College. Calcutta where Head of the Department of English was Friend Pertra. a Cambridge man. and the Principal of the College was Dr I II Zubcri. PhD in English from Edinborough University. \
I never thought that I would ever gel an opportunity lo tread this holy ground and breathe the pure and fragrant academic air that once In spired hundreds of worthy children of this soil, who later made their mark throughout this sub-continent. My predecessor late Principal Saidur Rahman, who was my senior colleague at Islamia College, Calcutta (1942-43) and a friend till his death, was a clever man. He somehow eluded the wrath of Governor Monem Khan whose avowed object was to 'discipline' the students and terrorise them lo silence. If nccessaiy. He got hts man al Dhaka University tn the Vice-Chancellor himself, who helped the Governor tn organising hts Students' Front (NSF). As a result, unpleasant things happened on the University campus, creating anger and discontent through-oul East Pakistan. Thal was. indeed. Ihc birth of campus terrorism . which quickly spread, like wild fire, in other spheres of our national life. Hopefully, ihal also sounded for ihc first time the deathr knell of the regime, and was the first slep towards the Liberation War. and finally creation of independent Bangladesh.
I.atc Principal Saidur Rahman met the Governor towards the end -of September, 1967 and saw the red signal to stop his activities In Jagannath College and quit. He drove straight from the Govt House
lo mv residence al Dhan mood I W. had half an hour s talk, he asked me to attend his farewell meeting arranged by the staff, at S pm on 30-847 and to be ready lo join Jagannath College a* early as possible I was surprised, but did not say anything On the following day I got two telephone calls from the Education Secretary and the DPI — both asking me the same question: How soon I could take over Ihc adminis trillion of Ja0innath Colk-jg-My reply lo both was: 1st October 1967.
From these heetk developments. It was clear that the Governor, elated al his success at Dhaka University, was des ■eralcty looking for a Principal for this college, who could play here the same role as the Vice-Chancellor had been playing In Dhaka Untverstty. Jagannath College was surrounded by a dozen of schools and three colleges In the heart of Old Dhaka city. At the slightest provocation. students from those institutions rushed shouting slogans to join the students of Jagannath College for demonstration. Late Principal Saidur Rahman could easily and justifiably outmanoeuvre the Governor In hts attempt lo have some of the stu-
dents caught. That hastened hts end, and he went away, with dignity and honour, leaving Jagannath College. In the words of poet Thomas Gray, to darkness and to me'.
Principal Rahman knew I was also a fighter, but I was a teacher too. and the way of fighting varies from man to man. I must fight on to my own way. and .he conceded Uw. ,, and helped me as much as he could. On the day I Joined the college, I sat with some teachers and after a few minutes, we decided to move about the campus talking wfth one another and having an Idea about the location of different departments, office rooms, class rooms, etc. I was advised to sit with a few students and talk with them In the presence of two or three teachers. 1 welcomed the Idea. One hour later the Vice Principal entered my room along With seven students and Iwo teachers. We had half an hour’s talk, and were pleased lo be assilred of their whole-hearted co-operation to the matter of maintaining peace on the campus.
Satisfied with the talk I had .with teachers and students, and encouraged by their assurance of co-operation, I started working hard. I did not confine myself within the office room, but rushed from class tp class and entered the class I found without a teacher. 1 had all sorts of talk with them, giving them chance to have talks with me as well. I continued till the teacher came. If he did not come for some reason, I passed the whole . period telling them what they never heard. They looked pleased, and I was happy. What a great |oy it was for all of us. I had my own ( lasses also, at least one a day. Lite Professor M A Matin. Head of the Deptt of English, a dedicated teacher anf strict taskmaster, with a class register a book and a piece of chalk in hand, used to enter my room smiling, at least len minutes before the bell rang, just to remind me of my class, lest I forgot. I too stood up. smiling and gesturing in return. lo show him my respect ful appreciation, ending finally to a hearty laughter. Alasl he is no more lo be here today
In this way I along with my colleagues had the atmosphere of the college campus cleared of distrust, misunderstanding and uncertainties. As a result, there was a general feeling both Inside and outside, that the college was Improving But I had no peace of mind. I had a premonition that, as the stake was too high, and the power and prestige of Field Marshal Md Ayub Khan, deputed lo Governor Monem Khan, was Involved, there would be at least a show down if not crackdown on Jagannath College campus. During five months after I had joined the college I had neither seen the Governor nor heard from him. He was perhaps watching my activities and planning future step*.
On 28.2.60 *t about 9 am Governor * *upporter (NSF) students along with some out
Continued from page » •tders entered the college enmpu* to show their growing strength. Students of other parties resented that Kakungr of hot words and bit ter quarrel made the situation tens* 1 wanted to face the students. but was prevented by teacher* and students appar ently for my safety, ft was a tragic mistake for me not lo force my way through the human wall and address the stu dents 1 was confident that the matter would have ended there I talked over phone to district authorities but there ■Mt no response After some tine, the telephone Une was snapped. They could have, at least, stopped the outsider, entering and crowding the campu* by shutting and yarding the in short, the
• pm- The tXT. K2 and Dtvtaiona! Conataestoner came towards Che end of the day residence and did not allow any mm to Me ate. as I was
tired and shocked But after some time a phone call from Govt House disturbed me I thought It mu the Governor bul no. fl was hts son who wanted to apologise for what had happened In Jagannath College that day. 1 asked him where hts father was and knew that he was In West Pakistan
Birth of Jinnah College (nowTitumlr CoUege)
When the Governor came
When I met him. he talked a lol. and disclosed that he would nationalise Jagpnna|h College, reduce the number of student* to a half and divert the other half lo Jinnah College which would be eslab Itshcd at Gulshan and would function as a Govt Colkp with effect from July I. 1968 Jagannath College would re n**ln eiosed and reopen as a Goto College on 14.66. I would both the colleges- one ^lel/ to thc^ma^rg*^ tlH ^tmn Jinnah College on I 7 68 as Principal He also expressed the hope. In flattering words
that I would continue lo cooperate with the Government loyally as I had been doing before.
Though surprised at these dramatic developments, the Governor's active role In what happened al Jagannath College on 28 2.68, was clear. My premonition' proved true. So. 1 lamletlikc. I heaved a deep s'gh Oh my prophetic soul.' I thanked him for his confidence to my ability lo shoulder the stupendous responsibility of supervising two colleges al a time As for other mutters, I just told him that 1 was a teacher and a Govt servant. I could not go beyond my limit I did not find anything wrong in his declaration of nationaltsa Hon of Jagannath College and establishment of Jinnah College at Gulshan. I assured him of my whole-hearted cooperation as long as things move cleanly and in public interest. The Governor looked grave, and I left. The neat and tight work programme and plan about the two colleges must have been prepared at the highest level with competent experts of the depart ments concerned.
Series of meetings at different levels followed. and public leaders, high officials and edu cationlsts were summoned from all parts of the country by the Governor to flash what
posed to do What pained me most was that he used me. in
most of thope meetings, as a show-boy for his propaganda lie blamed the unruly stu dents and teachers who. he thought, played in the hands of Ihc "enemies of the Stale I Ie wanted peopk- s support from suppressing rowdlsm" on ihc campus.
I worked hard in consultation with the DPI and Education Secretary. Indeed, we three. Mr Mujlbul Huq. Edn Secy. Mr Ferdous Khan. DPI and 1, formed a team. We visited the site for Jinnah College and found ii excellent for a good college. My work was within the site, watching the progress of the work of different kinds, i.c. cons tructlon work for adapting the DITe Building for college purpose, constructing new buildings, making furniture, etc. I passed most of the day in Gulshan. Every night I also sat with some of my colleagues to work for nationalisation of Jagannath College as well. We had less than four months lo complete the work for making Jinnah College ready for starting, on 1.7.68. and five months for nationalising Jagannath College with effect from 1.846.
One week before the ceremonial opening of Jinnah College, some top-ranking officials Including the Chief Secretary, were called to the Govt. House. The Governor disclosed that he would leave for Moscow on 1st July at 1 pm Now the question was
who will lake the opening salute? We thought, Mr. Asfar. the Chief Secretary, who acts us Governor In his absence, would lake the salute. Bul. no, pointing his figure towards me the Governor said he will lake the opening salute and declare the college open Though 1 felt embarrassed. I had to obey the command
Nationalisation of Jagannath College was the desire of the Governor to have It under hid control, but he did not dare to do that outright before, because he knew that would be resisted. Ir may kindly be recalled that even after nationalisation of Jagannath College, movements of the students continued to have It denationalised. In the general movements of the student* throughout the country that was the first of their eleven-point demands; and in the Students' Union election that was the most important Issue. Though I attended Jinnah College once a day. I had to work hard to make Jagannath College ready for rationalisation within July. My colleagues and office staff helped me a lot to prepare a set-up and work out Ihc detail* in consultation with the DPI. A good number of students left the college and got admitted to Jinnah College, but that did not affect this college to any way. The old atmosphere prevailed after upheavals, and all were happy when the college opened as a Govt College on 1.8.68.
Though both the colleges . started working as Govt Colleges, I was not relieved from either. The work-loud was loo heavy for me to bear The Governor at last decided to retain me in the Jagannath College. Dr All Ahmed joined Jinnah College to work with me for a few days and then to relieve me as Principal in-charge. Jinnah College. He continued for quite some, time on appdlntment as Principal. Why did Ihc Governor go back on his word, and kepi me in Jagannath College? That was because he did not find his man to make hjm free from -Jagannath College phobia. Though nationalised, Jagannath College never lost Its clout to be used when provoked by the rulers.
So he did not dare to disturb me or Irritate the students. I stayed in Jagannath College long enough to see his downfall. To work out the details of the nationalised Jagannath College was u tough job. But my colleagues helped me to accomplish the work within a short period of time. For the next one year I had my best time to Jagannath College, comparable with what 1 had In Calcutta Islamia College, Hoogly Mohsin CdBcgc. Rajshahl College. Dhaka College. Chittagong College, two Islamic Colleges to Dhaka and Chittagong and finally In Rangpur Carmichael College. I had some money from the Education Directorate to go on .
an educational lour wilhin East Pakistan. Students wanted me to go with thcrfi as a guide, and I went gladly. It was. indeed, a wonderful experience.
After Monem Khan's fall, bureaucracy stood in my way to going ahead with healthy academic and extra-academic activities within and outside the college campus. Creation of posts at different levels, filling up these posts, fixation of pay, etc. were difficult work, but Ihey made II almost Impossible. My colleagues at all levels and even senior students worked day and night though they were not getting their pay. They worked miracles and raised the college very high in public esteem. 1 fell proud and was inspired by their activities and conduct. I also rose to the occasion and acted with courage and confidence sometimes even beyond my competence. My superior officers, though sympathetic to me for my bold steps, were shaken. As for example, though Jagannath College was nationalised, night shift was left oul, owing to mistake at Directorate level. I kept night shift working on payment from private Jagannath College funds. Secondly, construction of a building was left incomplete for financial constraint at the end of the financial year. I issued a cheque for Taka four lakh from the Private College funds to the Chief Engineer. C & B for the completion of the building.
It may be remembered that during Yahya's rule political atmosphere In the country grow very tense, and academic atmosphere grew hot. In those turbulent days when all around u* appeared dark; we kept our academic light burning within and outside the precincts of the college. Extra-academic activities throughout the country were not allowed, but I held Students' Union Election
In the College and Annual Sports Meet within the Dhaka Stadium. I requested the authorities concerned not to interfere with our activities and assured them that there would be no trouble. I also requested them not to allow any police to be there. They agreed, and our functions were a grand success.
My days In Jagannath College were running fast to an end. That was because of my tussle with the bureaucracy from the beginning. I had been trying hard to have the pay scafe of all employees fixed and Ihelr arrears paid. At one stage Finance Department refused lo meet our demand for lack of funds pending new budget allotment. 1 was shocked and rang up Admiral Ahsan who was then the Governor, and spoke about my awkward predicament He readily agreed to pay the amountTrom his special funds. What a fine genlleman'he was!
It was too much for the bureaucracy to bear this humiliation. They must get me away from Dhaka and Jagannath College. So I was transferred first to Comilla Victoria College and then to Rajendra College, Faridpur. I was, of course ready by that time to leave Jagannath College, but I did not disclose what I had tn mind. I- was waiting for my reliever, but In vain. I was tn terrible suspense. because I couki be of no use to any body any more. Teachers and students constantly poured into the drawing room. I tried to avoid them, but could not. Some rushed into my bed room. They all wanted me to try to have Ihe transfer order oan celled. I told them that during my 28 years of service, I never begged anything from sny body. But when I faced ln)u-lice and Irregularities I fought