Senior officials of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) avoided answering questions over the cancellation of the lifetime appointment of Prof ABM Abdullah as its emeritus professor last week.

Prof Nahreen Akhtar, treasurer of BMU, declined to comment on the university’s decision regarding Prof Abdullah amid growing criticism on social media.

“We will not answer any questions beyond the budget,” Prof Nahreen said at a press conference to announce its budget for the next year.

When pointed out that the university’s vice-chancellor usually attends budget press conferences and the invitation letter had mentioned as much, and asked whether his absence was meant to avoid the issue, the treasurer said the VC was attending another programme.

BMU Vice-Chancellor Prof F M Siddiqui was present at the syndicate meeting today at the university’s Milton Hall, where the Tk 1,039 crore budget was approved, according to the details provided by the university.

The press conference took place immediately after the syndicate meeting at the same venue.

The authorities of BMU have cancelled the lifetime appointment of Prof Abdullah as emeritus professor and ordered him to return all salaries and allowances he had received while serving in the post.

The decision was announced in an office order signed by the university’s registrar, Prof Mostafa Kamal, issued on June 24. According to the circular, the 99th syndicate meeting of June 13 had taken the decision.

Prof Abdullah was the personal physician of the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. The professor described the move as “unjust, irrational, and baseless.”

“Those who made this decision have done something wrong. It is unjustified, and there is no logic behind it,” he told this newspaper Thursday.