Dhaka, 16 July- Popular writer and academic Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal has publicly declared his intention never to return to Dhaka University, following the controversial slogans chanted by quota agitators. The protesters, demanding their freedom, have sparked outrage with their recent actions.

A poignant piece written by Iqbal has been widely shared on social media, stirring significant discussion among various professional circles, including political and cultural sectors. In his article, Iqbal, the son of a martyred hero from the Great War of Liberation, expressed his deep disappointment and personal resolve.

"Dhaka University is my university, my favorite university," Iqbal wrote. "But I think that I will never want to go to this university again; if I look at the students, I will think that they might be those Razakars."

He continued, "As long as I live, I don't want to see the face of any Razakar. There is only one life, why should I see Razakars again in that life?"

When questioned by reporters about his writing, Iqbal confirmed its authenticity, stating, "Yes, I wrote it. Find it on my website Sadsidh Katha Archive. This is purely my personal opinion and feeling."

Iqbal's essay, now partially available on his website Sadasidhe.com, reflects his profound dismay. He halted the article upon learning that anti-quota students at Dhaka University had labeled themselves as Razakars, a term synonymous with betrayal and collaboration with the Pakistani army during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971. "There is no need to end this article," Iqbal concluded, underscoring his indignation.

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, renowned for his fiction and science fiction works, is also a physicist, educationist, and activist. His father, Faizur Rahman, was martyred by Pakistani forces and their local collaborators during the Liberation War. His elder brother, Humayun Ahmed, is one of the most celebrated Bengali novelists.

The recent quota protests have seen students from various universities rallying against the existing system. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a press conference, questioned the hostility towards freedom fighters, saying, "Why is there so much anger against the freedom fighters? The grandchildren of freedom fighters will not get (quota), then will the grandchildren of Razakar get it?"

In a stark response, agitators at Dhaka University altered a famous independence slogan, chanting, "Who are you, who am I/Razakar, Razakar," sparking widespread criticism for their reinterpretation of a historic chant, "Tumi Ke, Ami Ke/Bangali, Bangali."

This incident has intensified the debate around the quota system and its implications, drawing sharp reactions from various quarters and leading to a heightened sense of unrest within academic and political spheres.