Dhaka, 21 August – Recent reports published in the national media indicate that teachers at public universities across the country have been temporarily suspended, relieved of academic and administrative responsibilities, and subjected to investigations conducted outside established rules and procedures in the name of fact finding. These actions have reportedly been taken on allegations of discrediting the July Movement, spreading propaganda against university administrations and the government, political involvement, and maintaining links with a political party that has been removed from power.
As part of this continuing pattern, Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim of the Department of Sociology at the University of Dhaka and former Vice Chancellor of Jagannath University, Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam and Professor Afroza Shelley of the Department of Nuclear Engineering have been temporarily suspended. Professor Md. Abdul Muhit of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology has been removed from his position as Chairman and relieved of his academic and administrative responsibilities. Similarly, Professor Abu Sara Shamsur Rouf of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies have been relieved of their academic and administrative responsibilities.
These decisions were taken at a meeting of the Dhaka University Syndicate held on 28 July under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam.
There are also reports that the respective universities may take disciplinary action against Professor Dr. Kaberi Gayen of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka and Professor Risala Khan of the Institute of Information Technology at Jahangirnagar University over allegations of attempting to discredit the July Movement. We are deeply angered by such punitive and harassing actions against university teachers.
We believe that such measures constitute an attempt to undermine the democratic character of universities by suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of thought and expression. At the same time, imposing sweeping disciplinary measures without following due legal process is wholly unlawful.
We therefore call upon all concerned to abandon undemocratic and aggressive policies and to come forward to ensure the freedom of thought and expression and the civic rights of university teachers, thereby contributing to the development of a progressive political society.
It has been alleged that, since August 2024, certain groups of teachers have emerged as significant influencers in contemporary politics. As a result, these teachers, along with their overt and covert groups, have allegedly been actively involved, both openly and secretly, in legitimising activities that are contrary to university regulations, undemocratic, and violative of human rights.
With the tacit assistance and support of political forces identified as opposed to the Liberation War, these teacher groups are allegedly using political vendetta and ideological differences to suppress dissent, thereby placing the inclusive character of the university environment at serious risk.
It has been observed that whenever these teacher groups raise allegations against anyone, university administrations immediately take disciplinary measures without regard for established laws and procedures. This represents a blatant manifestation of arbitrariness. Consequently, the rule of law and the fundamental principles of justice at the University of Dhaka and other institutions of higher education are under serious threat, and this situation must come to an end.
These teacher groups, both overt and covert, are allegedly attempting to maintain an unstable environment within universities by exploiting ideological differences, personal hostility, and the pursuit of administrative and governmental patronage.
Their covert wing, known as the Anti Fascist Teachers Forum, reportedly submitted a list of 231 teachers of the University of Dhaka to the Vice Chancellor on 27 July. The very next day, the matter was raised at the Syndicate meeting. Subsequently, the list was reduced to 125 names. There are allegations that financial transactions played a significant role in reducing the number of names on the list. Most recently, it has been reported that another list containing 31 names has been circulated.
However, disregarding established legal procedures, the university administration has sent letters summoning teachers whose names appeared on these lists, Professor Dr. Kaberi Gayen being one of them. We strongly condemn such an informal approach and undemocratic conduct by the university administration.
Since 5 August, teachers in educational institutions across the country have faced various forms of harassment and abuse, including forced resignations and dismissals. At Rajshahi University, incidents have reportedly included mob mobilisation against teachers and the submission of resignation letters written on their behalf. There have also been incidents of teachers being humiliated at the University of Dhaka.
It has been reported that the administrations of 22 public universities have initiated investigations against 404 teachers on allegations of political involvement. The absence of any meaningful action by the University Grants Commission or the government in response to these incidents has allowed a culture of politically motivated retribution and ideological domination to develop in institutions of higher education, instead of fostering knowledge and intellectual development. Such a situation cannot be beneficial to society, the nation, or the state.
We believe that educational institutions must not become arenas for political retaliation or campaigns of ideological purification. We call upon all concerned to move away from the existing culture of suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of expression and to ensure that every educational institution develops as a centre for independent thought and cultural practice, academic freedom, and the creation of knowledge, with university authorities playing a responsible role in this process.
We therefore urge the respective institutions, the government, the University Grants Commission, and all other concerned stakeholders to come forward and take the necessary steps to protect academic freedom, freedom of thought and expression, due process, and the fundamental rights of university teachers.
The statement is signed by:
1. Akramul Haque, Organiser, Dhaka
2. Dastagir Jahangir, Editor, The Voice, United States
3. Parvez Hashem, Lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court and Human Rights Defender, Florida, United States
4. Jibananda Jayanta, Lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court
5. Violet Haldar, Editor, Shomoyer Shobdo, Norway
6. Al Azam Khan, Human Rights Defender, Dhaka
7. Umme Habiba, Barrister and Solicitor, Canada
8. Yusuf Chowdhury, Freedom Fighter and Engineer, Boston, United States
9. Sohana Ahmed, Coordinator, Sangat Bangladesh
10. Jannatul Ferdous Nouzula, Cultural Organiser, Melbourne, Australia
11. Miraj Ahmed, Social Worker, Dhaka
12. Md. Sadik Hasan, Adviser, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
13. Sirajum Monira, Doctoral Researcher, Nuclear Physics Division, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
14. Monirul Islam, Retired Engineer, Toronto, Canada
15. Majibul Haque Moni, Teacher, London, United Kingdom
16. A K Azad, Cultural and Social Worker, Bangladesh
17. Sohela Parvin, Artist, France
18. Ishtiaq Jamil, Retired Professor, University of Bergen, Norway
19. Tuhin Das, Poet, Pennsylvania, United States
20. Md. Iftekhar Sadik, Accountant and Cultural Organiser, Melbourne, Australia
21. Monira Rahman, TDSB Office Administrator and Cultural Worker, Ontario, Canada
22. Liaquat Hossain Limon, Writer, Blogger and Human Rights Defender, Sweden
23. Tushar Gayen, Poet and Essayist, Toronto, Canada
24. Aminur Rahman, Researcher, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
25. Shyamoli Neela, Creative Designer, Switzerland
26. Joydeb Chandra Shil, Blogger and Human Rights Defender
27. Samia Mohsin, Columnist, Florida, United States
28. Foyez Khan Touhid, Human Rights Defender, United Kingdom
29. Regina Sultana, Head and Chairperson, Department of English, Canadian University of Bangladesh
30. Apurba Das, Columnist and Writer, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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