More than 600 students from the Department of Sociology at the University of Dhaka have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin, a prominent academic and Convener of the university’s pro-liberation Blue Panel. 

He  was detained by law enforcement agencies  on March 11 from  Zero Point in Dhaka, shortly before the scheduled launch of the “Bangabandhu Peace Walk 2026.” Following his arrest, he was charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and subsequently placed in custody, prompting widespread concern among students, academics, and rights observers.

The six-day peace march, organized by the professor, was intended to mark the 106th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

According to organizers, the initiative aimed to promote national harmony, tolerance, and unity across religious, social, and political lines.

Despite prior notification to the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant law enforcement agencies, Prof Jamal Uddin was arrested as the program was about to begin. Students argue that the detention raises serious questions about the protection of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Students and academic observers say the incident extends beyond a single legal case, describing it as a troubling indicator for democratic expression and intellectual freedom in Bangladesh.

Professor Jamal Uddin is a respected scholar in sociology, having authored two academic books and nearly 50 research articles. He is also known for his advocacy for the rule of law, social justice, and human rights.

His contributions have been recognized through several honors, including the Bangladesh Excellence Award (2023), the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award (2023), and the Mother Teresa Memorial Excellence Award (2022).

Supporters argue that detaining a scholar with a longstanding commitment to peace and humanitarian values under anti-terror legislation sends a concerning message to the academic community.

In a joint statement, the students urged citizens, researchers, and human rights advocates to raise their voices against what they describe as an unjust action.

They warned that silence could embolden further restrictions on democratic freedoms and called for immediate steps to ensure justice, emphasizing the need to uphold the country’s constitutional values and judicial integrity.