DHAKA – The Bangladesh Public Universities Progressive Teachers’ Society has protested the temporary suspension of three University of Dhaka (DU) teachers, including Professor Dr. M. Wahiduzzaman, and the formation of tribunals against them over alleged opposition to the July movement.
The organisation expressed deep concern over the disciplinary measures and called on the DU authorities to review the matter in a fair, transparent and impartial manner.
The protest was made in a statement signed by Professor Purba Islam, joint general secretary of the organisation, on Tuesday, September 1.
According to the statement, the organisation is deeply concerned, angered and saddened by the temporary suspension of Professor Dr. Mashur Rahman of the Department of Sociology and Professor Dr. Muhammed Mahbubur Rahman Litu of the Institute of Education and Research, as well as the formation of tribunals against them.
The organisation said the University of Dhaka is not merely an educational institution but one of the country’s major centres of free thought, academic and research activities, progressive ideas and freedom of expression. It said serious administrative action against renowned teachers over alleged violations of institutional rules raises concerns about the university’s democratic and academic environment.
The statement also alleged that Professor Dr. M. Wahiduzzaman was denied an opportunity to question witnesses and defend himself before the university’s investigation committee despite repeatedly submitting written applications seeking the opportunity.
It further described the submission of the investigation report to the university’s Syndicate without the signature of the accused teacher’s representative as “regrettable and contrary to justice.”
The teachers’ organisation claimed that Professor Dr. M. Wahiduzzaman had presented information and evidence to establish that the allegations against him were false and baseless. It warned that imposing punishment despite such a defence could create a culture of political retaliation or suppression of dissent.
The statement said teachers should be able to pursue knowledge, ask questions, express opinions and criticise injustice—features it described as natural to a free and democratic university.
Differences of opinion, it said, should be resolved through reason, dialogue, tolerance and due process rather than through administrative power or intimidation.
The Progressive Teachers’ Society urged the DU administration to ensure that the accused teachers are given an opportunity to defend themselves in the presence of their representatives before any investigation report is submitted, in accordance with university rules.
It also called for an opportunity to have the cases reviewed in a fair, transparent and impartial manner.
The organisation further urged the authorities to ensure that academics who express their views in support of the ideals of Bangladesh’s Liberation War do not become silent out of fear of administrative harassment or disciplinary action.
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