A recent uproar at BRAC University (BRACU) has caught national attention. Asif Mahtab, an adjunct faculty at philosophy department of the private university, was dismissed following his controversial comments on the educational curriculum and a public display of tearing textbook pages.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Professor Mujibur Rahman, the acting Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, sharply criticized the government’s education policy. Posted on Jamaat’s verified Facebook page, the statement said, “The fascist single-party government is deeply conspiring to ruin our students’ character by imposing a curriculum devoid of morality and ideals. This curriculum has been rejected by a vast majority of Muslims in Bangladesh, which constitutes 92% of the population.”
“In this context, Asif Mahtab has acted like a true idealistic teacher. Driven by conscience, he has strongly criticized homosexuality, echoing the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. I sincerely congratulate him for his firm stance. By dismissing him, the authorities at BRAC University have essentially sided with an education curriculum that is against the national identity. I strongly condemn and protest this decision of the BRAC University authorities.”
Further, Rahman demanded an immediate reversal of the decision to dismiss Mahtab. “I urge the authorities of BRAC University to reinstate Asif Mahtab immediately,” he stated.