30 Teachers Issue Joint Statement Protesting Punishment and Harassment of Academics

Melbourne, 23 August: 30 teachers from various universities across Bangladesh have protested the suspension, removal from posts and withdrawal of academic and administrative responsibilities of university teachers. They have also expressed concern over investigations and disciplinary actions against teachers without following proper legal procedures.

In a joint statement issued on 21 August, the teachers said action was being taken against academics at various public universities over allegations related to controversy surrounding the July uprising, spreading propaganda against university administrations and the government, political affiliations, and links with the ousted political party.

According to the statement, such actions are creating an environment in universities where dissent is being suppressed and freedom of thought and expression is being restricted.

The statement said 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 of the Department of Nuclear Engineering, and Professor Afroza Shelee had been temporarily suspended.

Professor Md Abdul Muhit of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology was relieved of his position as chairman as well as his academic and administrative responsibilities.

The statement also said Professor Abu Sara Shamsur Rauf of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Professor Md Rafiqul Islam of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies had been relieved of their academic and administrative responsibilities.

The teachers claimed that these decisions were taken at a meeting of the University of Dhaka Syndicate chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam on 28 July.

The statement further said there were reports that action could also be taken against Professor Dr Kabori 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 undermine or create controversy surrounding the July uprising.

The teachers said taking disciplinary action based solely on allegations without following due process could pose a serious threat to the democratic environment of universities.

They also alleged that since August 2024, some teachers had become influential in contemporary politics and that various formal and informal groups were playing a role in suppressing dissent within universities.

According to the statement, university administrations in many cases were taking action against teachers based on allegations made by such groups without properly following existing laws and regulations.

The joint statement also raised concerns over the preparation of a list of 231 University of Dhaka teachers. It said a group called the “Anti-Fascist Teachers’ Forum” submitted a list of 231 teachers to the Vice-Chancellor on 27 July, and the issue was raised at the Syndicate meeting the following day.

The statement claimed that the list was later reduced to 125 names and eventually to 31. It also alleged financial transactions were involved in reducing the number of names, although no evidence was provided in support of the allegation.

The teachers said those named on the lists were summoned by the university administration and received letters. They argued that such informal procedures were inconsistent with university laws and fundamental principles of justice. Professor Dr Kabori Gayen was also reportedly among those who received such a letter.

The joint statement also raised allegations of harassment, abuse, forced resignations and dismissals of teachers at various educational institutions after 5 August.

The teachers referred to allegations of mobs being mobilised against academics and pressure being applied on them to submit resignation letters at Rajshahi University, as well as an incident involving the humiliation of a teacher at the University of Dhaka.

According to the statement, investigations have been initiated against 404 teachers from 22 public universities over allegations of political involvement. The teachers said the University Grants Commission and the government should play an effective role in addressing the issue.

The statement said educational institutions must not become arenas for political retaliation or ideological purges. Universities should instead be maintained as safe spaces for independent thought, freedom of expression, academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge.

The teachers called for an end to undemocratic and aggressive policies, assurance of due legal process, and protection of teachers’ freedom of thought and expression and their civil rights.

They also urged university authorities, the government and the University Grants Commission to play a responsible role in addressing the issue.

Signatories to the statement

1. Akramul Haque, Organiser, Dhaka
2. Dastagir Jahangir, Editor, The Voice, USA
3. Parvez Hashem, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Human Rights Activist, Florida, USA
4. Jibananda Jayanta, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
5. Violet Haldar, Editor, Samer Shabda, Norway
6. Al Azam Khan, Human Rights Activist, Dhaka
7. Umme Habiba, Barrister and Solicitor, Canada
8. Yusuf Chowdhury, Freedom Fighter and Engineer, Boston, USA
9. Sohana Ahmed, Coordinator, Sangat Bangladesh
10. Jannatul Ferdous Naujula, 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. Mujibul Haque Moni, Teacher, London, UK
16. AK 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, USA
20. Md Iftekhar Sadik, Accountant and Cultural Organiser, Melbourne, Australia
21. Monira Rahman, TDSB Office Administrator and Cultural Activist, Ontario, Canada
22. Liaquat Hossain Limon, Writer, Blogger and Human Rights Activist, Sweden
23. Tushar Gayen, Poet, Essayist, Toronto, Canada
24. Aminur Rahman, Researcher, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
25. Shyamoli Nila, Creative Designer, Switzerland
26. Joydeb Chandra Shil, Blogger and Human Rights Activist
27. Samia Mohsin, Columnist, Florida, USA
28. Foyez Khan Touhid, Human Rights Activist, UK
29. Regina Sultana, Head of Department and Chairperson, Department of English, Canadian University of Bangladesh
30. Apurba Das, Columnist and Writer, Dhaka, Bangladesh