Dhaka : The Professional Human Rights Council has called for an immediate end to what it described as the harassment, suspension and punitive actions against university teachers, expressing deep concern over recent measures taken against professors at Dhaka University and other institutions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, the organisation’s convener Dr Jamal Uddin Chowdhury and member secretary Agriculturist Mizanur Rahman protested the temporary suspension of three Dhaka University professors and the decision to form a tribunal against them.
The three teachers are Dr M. Wahiduzzaman, professor at the Institute of Education and Research and president of Bangladesh Public Progressive Teachers Society; Dr . Mashiur Rahman, professor of Sociology; and Dr Muhammed Mahbubur Rahman Litu, professor at the Institute of Education and Research.
The organisation said it was “deeply concerned, angered and saddened” by the measures, which it said were taken over allegations that the teachers had opposed the July movement.
The council urged the relevant authorities to refrain from conducting politically motivated investigations and disciplinary proceedings against university teachers, warning that such actions could disrupt the academic environment.
According to the statement, a series of developments surrounding the July-August 2024 events have raised concerns about human rights violations in Bangladesh, with similar tensions now spreading to educational institutions.
The organisation alleged that teachers from primary schools to universities have faced physical and psychological harassment, including incidents involving mob pressure and disciplinary action. It also claimed that teachers had been dismissed or demoted on various grounds, with some cases allegedly contributing to severe mental distress.
The council further expressed disappointment over the state of law and order and said people had expected the government formed after the February 12, 2026 parliamentary election to improve stability and prevent administrative actions against teachers based on political considerations.
It claimed that senior and experienced professors at several universities, including Dhaka University, Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh and Islamic University in Kushtia, had recently faced investigations, suspension or dismissal.
The statement also referred to the temporary suspension of former Jagannath University vice-chancellor and senior Dhaka University Sociology professor Dr Sadeka Halim. It alleged that several other teachers, including Dhaka University Botany professor and council joint convener Dr Azmal Hossain Bhuiyan, had been asked to refrain from university activities.
The organisation further claimed that 36 teachers, including professors Dr Ahsan Habib Helal and Dr Subhas De of Bangladesh Medical University, had been dismissed without proper adherence to rules and procedures. It also alleged that Professor Dr Purba Islam and others at Bangladesh Agricultural University had been dismissed over what it described as fabricated allegations.
The council said an investigation committee had also been formed against Professor Dr Mahbubur Rahman of Islamic University, alleging that the proceedings raised questions about the committee’s neutrality and transparency.
The organisation argued that university teachers should be able to exercise their rights to free thought, political expression and independent opinion in accordance with university laws and ordinances.
It warned that setting a precedent of restricting such rights could deepen divisions in society and further undermine the academic environment.
Calling the alleged actions against teachers, doctors, agriculturists and other professionals “extremely inhumane,” the Professional Human Rights Council urged the authorities to immediately stop what it described as repressive measures and take steps to restore harmony and a healthy environment for education.
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