International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Labels Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal a Disgrace to the Teaching Profession

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Mohammad Aminul Islam, has publicly condemned Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, labeling him a “shame to the teaching profession” and a “knowingly ignorant individual” for his remarks during the recent national uprising.

Speaking at his office on Wednesday, the Chief Prosecutor detailed his arguments presented before the tribunal regarding the crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July mass uprising. The tribunal is currently hearing a case against seven individuals, including former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

During the proceedings, Aminul Islam criticized the professor’s characterization of protesting students. He stated that the ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, had attempted to disparage the students by labeling them “grandchildren of Razakars.” In response, the students protested with slogans challenging the authority and the narrative of the regime. The Chief Prosecutor argued that Professor Zafar Iqbal intentionally distorted these protests by ignoring the students’ anti-autocracy slogans and focusing solely on the “Razakar” chant to malign them.

The Chief Prosecutor specifically pointed to a statement made by the professor, in which he declared he would never return to the university, labeling the student body as “grandchildren of Razakars.” Aminul Islam described this as a deliberate act of intellectual dishonesty, asserting that the professor was fully aware that the protesters were ordinary students and not affiliated with the historic collaborators of 1971.

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Aminul Islam argued that such rhetoric from a figure of academic standing serves to dehumanize students and fuel hatred, necessitating an exemplary punishment. He concluded that individuals who use their status to spread such disinformation represent a disgrace to the academic community.

The ICT investigation agency is currently conducting an inquiry into Professor Zafar Iqbal’s involvement regarding allegations of crimes against humanity during the July uprising.