DHAKA, July 29 — A fresh political controversy has emerged at the University of Dhaka amid reports that the university’s pro-Awami League teachers’ organization, the Blue Panel, could face a ban.
Observers say this is not a new phenomenon. Anti Liberation elements have long pursued an aggressive campaign against progressive academics, particularly teachers perceived to be aligned with the Awami League.
At present, the issue is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The development follows the submission of a memorandum by more than one hundred teachers under the banner of “Anti-Fascist Teachers” to the Vice-Chancellor on Monday. According to the organizers, the group included teachers associated with political viewpoints aligned with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
In the memorandum, the teachers called for an immediate prohibition of the Blue Panel’s political activities and submitted a list of 125 teachers whom they accused of playing a controversial and anti-student role during the previous Awami League government. They also requested administrative action against those listed.
The memorandum cited several incidents during the July 2024 protests. It alleged that after the killing of Abu Sayeed on July 16, when student casualties were increasing across the country, Blue Panel teachers held a press conference on August 1, 2024, describing protesting students as being influenced by “anti-state conspirators” and urging them to withdraw from the movement.
The memorandum further alleged that Blue Panel members criticized teachers from the White Panel after they demanded the government’s resignation over the violence and warned of legal action on allegations of sedition. It also referred to a rally and human chain organized by the Blue Panel on August 3, 2024.
The allegations contained in the memorandum have not been independently verified, and no response from representatives of the Blue Panel was immediately available.
The developments have intensified debate over the political direction of the university. Some critics of the proposed action argue that seeking punitive measures against teachers identified with pro-Liberation War politics amounts to targeting academics associated with the ideals of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. They contend that the initiative reflects an attempt to marginalize those aligned with the country’s founding historical narrative.
Supporters of the memorandum, however, maintain that their demands are based on the teachers’ alleged conduct during the July 2024 protests and are intended to ensure accountability.
As of Tuesday, the university administration had not publicly announced any decision regarding the memorandum or the future status of the Blue Panel. The outcome of the Syndicate meeting is expected to determine whether any formal action will be taken.
Post Sheikh Hasina Government Harassment Scenarios in Dhaka University:
In May 2025, Dhaka University (DU) authorities have temporarily suspended 128 students for allegedly attacking protesters during the July uprising. Most of those suspended are members of the now banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
The decision was taken by the DU Syndicate on Monday based on the findings of a university fact finding committee that investigated the attacks during the mass uprising.
Last year December, members of Blue Panel, the pro Awami League teachers’ panel at the University of Dhaka, were allegedly harassed and physically assaulted after submitting a memorandum to the university’s Vice Chancellor, demanding the reinstatement of teachers who had been barred from conducting classes, according to a Bangladeshi media outlet.
The incident reportedly took place at around 1:30 pm in the teachers’ lounge of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
A video widely circulated on social media appears to show AB Zubair , Social Welfare Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), grabbing Professor Abul Kashem Mohammad Jamal Uddin, convener of Neel Dal, on a staircase in an apparent attempt to restrain him. The footage shows Professor Jamal attempting to leave while Zubair follows him down the stairs and later appears to block him from getting into a vehicle.
Speaking to a Bangladeshi media outlet, Professor Jamal said, “We submitted a seven-point memorandum to the Vice Chancellor’s office, including a demand for the reinstatement of teachers. Afterwards, while we were having tea in the teachers’ lounge, a group of students entered, called us ‘accomplices of fascists,’ and said they would not allow us to leave.”
