Dhaka, Dec. 16 -- A statement issued by Chittagong University to explain controversial remarks made by its pro-vice chancellor on the martyrdom of intellectuals has described Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq as "leaders" of the Liberation War.

The assessment was published on the university's official Facebook page on Monday evening, even though both leaders died eight to nine years before the 1971 war of independence.

The controversy began on Sunday, Martyred Intellectuals Day, during a discussion titled "Free Thought, the Liberation War and the Killing of Intellectuals in 1971", organised by Chattogram University.

Pro-VC (Academic) Mohammed Shamim Uddin Khan spoke at the event.

In his speech, Prof Shamim desc...