United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has demanded withdrawal of punitive measures against 10 teachers, taken by the university’s last two syndicate meetings held on 22 June and 28 July. The demand informed on Thursday thorough a notification signed by the president of the association Prof. Dr. Md. Nizamul Hoque Buiyan and the general secretary Prof. Dr. Zeenat Huda. Alongside, the association urged to restoring the congenial environment of education through building a safe, orderly and merit-based campus. DU suspends three teachers, relieves four others of duties The notification mentioned that the association is strongly protesting against the recent decisions to permanent expulsion of one professor and relief of six professors from academic and administrative responsibility, taken by the syndicate meeting. DU is an autonomous institution. It’s conducted by the ‘Dhaka University Order, 1973’, not any order form the state machinery. “According to the law, the university administration doesn’t have any authority to punish any teacher, officer and staff before the completely prove by the fact-finding committee and the tribunal,” the notification added. The former ‘unelected administration’ of DU had followed a one-way policy by creating mob, the notification alleged. “Avoiding the Dhaka University laws and policies, 70-80 teachers have been restrained from their duties, and an initiative has been adopted to humiliate them socially by imposing various tags, which, basically, a form of mental and economical oppression.” The notification said, university is such a place where diverse opinions, paths, philosophies and ideologies coexist. This is rare case of DU to take punitive measurements against the senior, wise and experienced teaches in the wake of changing political circumstance. Only, during the independent war of 1971, the brutal intellectual killing was taken place in DU to drain the brightest minds, as part of ethnic cleansing.   The association said that the political shifting is a normal democratic process. But, the culture of fear, panic and insecurity created in the teacher society by taking punitive actions, suppressing of dissenting opinion, compressing freedom of express, for the wake of political shifting, will be a bad instance in future. To uphold the autonomy of Dhaka University and to ensure coexistence of teachers—regardless of political affiliation, opinion, gender, or religion, the association demanded withdrawal of these punitive actions. Meanwhile, fresh question erupted at the campus as tenure of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association’s running committee had ended on 31 December, 2024. Following the boycott of the 2024 DUTA election by the BNP-aligned White Panel, the Awami League-backed Blue Panel was elected unopposed to all executive committee posts. No fresh election has been held since the July mass uprising. According to DUTA constitution, the executive committee consists of 15 elected members. However, the association is currently being run only by its president and general secretary. Of the 15-member executive committee, 11 members, including the vice-president, treasurer, joint secretary and other executive members, submitted their resignations to the president on 10 February 2025. There also appears to be a discrepancy between the statements of the association’s president and general secretary regarding the issuance of Thursday’s statement. Although the statement carried the president’s name and signature, the general secretary did not obtain his full approval before releasing it. DUTA President Prof. Dr. Md. Nizamul Hoque Buiyan said, “Usually, statements are issued by the general secretary. The digital signature is with the secretary. Whether the president’s name is included or not does not really matter. The Teachers’ Association is generally secretary-oriented. The statement was issued by the general secretary. My name is there... she contacted me once and said wanted to issue it in this way. I told her to take some time, but she went ahead and released the statement.” He added, “the association practically has no members. Just the president and the secretary cannot constitute a teachers’ association. None of the other members are active. Out of the 15-member executive committee, 11 have resigned. One member had resigned earlier, one has passed away, and another has never been in contact with us. We have not even visited the association’s office for the last two years. This is not how a teachers’ association is supposed to function.” Responding to the president’s remarks, General Secretary Prof. Dr. Zeenat Huda said, “I have already discussed that matter with him. I will not discuss it with you. It is an internal matter between us.” On the issue of the committee functioning with only two office-bearers, she said, “I am accountable to the voters. We are acting in accordance with the constitution. There is nothing in the constitution that says the association cannot function with just two members. If he has said otherwise, that is his personal opinion.” Regarding the election, Zeenat Huda said, “We have already requested an election. A letter signed by both the president and the general secretary was sent to Former VC Professor Niaz Ahmed. Why they have not arranged the election is a matter for them.” According to Dhaka University Teachers’ Association constitution, the previous committee will carry on its work until a new committee takes over the charge of the office after fresh election.

Khulna University (KU) has fired a professor over allegations of sexual harassment and formed a high-powered committee to investigate similar allegations against another faculty member. The decisions were taken at the university's 237th Syndicate meeting held on Thursday. Prof. Md Rezaul Islam of the Agrotechnology Discipline was fired from service following allegations of sexual harassment. At the same meeting, the university administration constituted a five-member high-powered investigation committee to examine allegations against Prof. Dr Md Rubel Ansar of the Bangla Discipline, based on the findings of a report submitted by the university's Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre. Prof. Dr S M Mahbubur Rahman, Acting Registrar, said the committee had been formed after reviewing the investigation report prepared by the Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre. He clarified that the newly formed body is not a committee under the Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre but a separate high-level investigation committee constituted by the university administration. The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within 30 working days.

The Dhaka University authorities have suspended three teachers and one university official, while relieving four other teachers of all academic and administrative responsibilities over separate allegations. The decisions were taken at a Syndicate meeting held on July 28, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam. The Syndicate suspended Prof Dr Sadeka Halim of the Department of Sociology over allegations of unbecoming conduct inside and outside the classroom, moral misconduct and other complaints. Sada Dal protests Bobby Hajjaj’s remarks about Dhaka University It also suspended Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam and Prof Dr Afroza Shelley of the Department of Nuclear Engineering following complaints from students of different batches and based on the findings of an inquiry committee. Prof Dr Md Abdul Muhit of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology was removed from his position as department chairman and relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities over allegations of activities contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising, spreading propaganda against the university administration and the government, supporting a banned organisation and issuing threats. On the same allegations, Prof Dr Abu Shara Shamsur Rouf of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam (Rafiq Shahariar) of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies were also relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities. The Syndicate further relieved Prof Dr Mohammad Bahauddin of the Department of Persian Language and Literature of all academic and administrative duties over allegations of various irregularities in the department and plagiarism involving MPhil and PhD theses. The meeting also formed a committee, headed by Pro-VC (Education) Prof Dr Abdus Salam, to review alleged irregularities in recruitment at the university between January 1, 2009 and June 2024 and examine the transparency of the recruitment process. All deans of the university's faculties have been included in the committee. Another committee, headed by Pro-VC (Administration) Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, was formed to review research activities conducted under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP), funded by the World Bank and the University Grants Commission, during the same period and examine whether project funds were properly utilised. The Syndicate also decided to take action against individuals, groups and organisations allegedly involved in activities contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising. It said further decisions will be taken after verification. In a separate decision, the Syndicate suspended AKM Mahbub Mustafa, supervising engineer (Civil) at the Office of the Chief Engineer, over allegations of activities violating office discipline. The meeting approved the construction of a July Memorial at the Mall Chattar adjacent to the university's administrative building in memory of those killed during the July mass uprising. The foundation stone of the monument is scheduled to be unveiled on August 5.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has appointed Prof Md Zakir Hossain of the Department of Philosophy as its proctor on a temporary basis after accepting the resignation of Proctor Prof Dr AKM Rashidul Alam. The university announced the appointment in an office order signed by acting Registrar Dr ABM Azizur Rahman on Wednesday night. According to the order, the university accepted Prof Rashidul's resignation following his request and relieved him of his duties as proctor. The administration appointed Prof Zakir as proctor with effect from the afternoon of July 29. He will continue to serve in the post until further notice.

The Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) on Tuesday accused the university administration of failing to act promptly over an alleged death threat against a female student and a subsequent attack on the RUCSU office, placing a six-point demand that includes legal and disciplinary action against those responsible. At a press conference held at the RUCSU office in the evening, Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Jahid alleged that a first-year student of the Department of Sanskrit was threatened by a senior student after rejecting his marriage proposal. According to the written statement, the student alleged that on July 26, a 2021-22 session student of the same department, identified as Muhsin, threatened her with a knife and said he would throw her into the Padma River after she rejected his proposal. He also allegedly claimed to possess a pistol. Following the complaint, the university's proctorial body summoned both parties that night. RUCSU alleged that a man named Anas, who introduced himself as the accused student's guardian, disrupted the inquiry and behaved rudely with the proctor before being asked to leave. It also claimed that journalists were later threatened with legal action after a video of the incident was published. The student body further alleged that Anas had links with the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League. According to RUCSU, when both parties were called to the proctor's office again on July 27, the allegations against Muhsin were found to be substantiated. It alleged that Anas again created a tense situation, behaved aggressively with members of the proctorial body and RUCSU leaders, and later admitted to having been involved in Chhatra League politics after his mobile phone was examined in the presence of the proctor. RUCSU claimed that although police were informed, Anas was released instead of being handed over to law enforcement authorities. The student body also alleged that Anas, along with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Shafin and their associates, later attacked the RUCSU office, injuring General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar and Information and Research Secretary Nazmus Sakib. It further claimed that Anas later took shelter in the university's central library reading room, prompting RUCSU leaders, hall union representatives and other students to gather there demanding his arrest. The organisation alleged that the administration's prolonged inaction further escalated the situation. RUCSU announced a six-point demand, including immediate legal and disciplinary action against those accused of threatening the female student, arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack on the RUCSU office, an investigation into alleged negligence by university officials, effective measures to prevent political violence and misuse of political identity on campus, ensuring students' safety, and speedy justice against those allegedly involved in past acts of repression and linked to the banned Chhatra League. RUCSU leaders said they will not tolerate violence against female students, terrorism or the misuse of political identity on campus, and vowed to continue democratic and lawful programmes to ensure student safety and uphold the rule of law. In his unscripted remarks, Jahid criticised sections of the media for describing the incident as an attack by RUCSU members, insisting that they had acted in "resistance" rather than carrying out an attack. He also accused some journalists of showing sympathy towards the banned Chhatra League and warned of action over what he described as their role. General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar claimed that RUCSU repeatedly requested the proctor's office to arrest the accused after the attack on its office but alleged that no action was taken for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the situation to deteriorate further.

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) on Tuesday evening staged a sit-in and laid siege to the university’s Senate Building during a syndicate meeting, demanding a transparent and student-friendly policy for allocating residential hall seats. The protest began around 6:30pm, with DUCSU leaders and activists gathering outside the building while the syndicate meeting was underway. They chanted slogans against what they described as a controversial seat allocation policy and demanded measures to prevent the return of the “Guestroom” and “Gonoroom” culture in university halls. DUCSU Student Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah alleged that the administration is considering allowing students to retain hall seats through three opportunities for re-admission, a move he claimed will enable some students to remain in halls for up to eight years. "If students are allowed three re-admissions, many will remain affiliated with political organisations and never vacate their hall seats. This will eventually revive the old culture of Gonoroom and Guestrooms," he said. "We will not allow any manipulation of the policy. Every student should be guaranteed a residential hall seat from the very first day of admission," Asif added. During the protest, Assistant Proctor Dr Anamul Haque Sajib approached the demonstrators for discussions, but an argument broke out between him and DUCSU representatives. Protesters responded by chanting slogans accusing the university administration of protecting attackers (the alleged attack by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on DUCSU leaders and journalists inside Shahbagh Police station on 24 April) and supporting the return of the “Gonoroom” culture. At one stage, university authorities proposed that five DUCSU representatives join the Syndicate meeting. However, DUCSU Literature Secretary Mosaddek Ali Ibne Mohammad said they did not wish to enter the meeting and instead wanted Syndicate members to come outside and speak with the protesters. Later, the university's Proctor again invited representatives to attend the meeting. DUCSU leaders expressed willingness to participate only if representatives from the hall unions were also allowed to join. Otherwise, they demanded that the Vice-Chancellor come outside to hear their concerns. Eventually, six representatives entered the Syndicate meeting. Following the meeting, Asif Abdullah said they placed three demands before the university administration. The demands include formulating a student-friendly and transparent seat allocation policy, dismissing individuals associated with the previous “fascist” regime, and ensuring a proper investigation and justice over the alleged assault on journalists and DUCSU leaders inside Shahbagh Police Station. Asif warned that if the administration fails to meet their demands, DUCSU will launch a fresh protest from Wednesday by laying siege to the VC office.

The government has appointed Prof Dr Md Sohel Rana of the Department of Pharmacy at Jahangirnagar University (JU) as the university's new treasurer. The Ministry of Education announced the appointment in a gazette notification issued by its Secondary and Higher Education Division on Monday. According to the notification, Prof Sohel Rana will serve as treasurer for four years from the date of joining or until the date of his retirement, whichever comes first.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) staged protests on the campus on Wednesday, demanding the identification and punishment of the person accused of making an alleged indecent proposal to a female student after obtaining her phone number through a Facebook page. The protesters formed a human chain in front of the university's Central Library around 12:45pm before bringing out a procession across the campus. Earlier on Tuesday night, the victim, a student of the Department of Public Administration, filed a General Diary (GD) with Jalalabad Police Station over the incident. According to the GD, the student responded to a tuition-related post on a Facebook page named “SUST Update” by expressing her interest in the comment section. After the page administrators requested her phone number, she shared her personal mobile number. The student alleged that on June 24, she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number offering her a job. She claimed that after she replied, the sender made offensive and indecent remarks and proposed an inappropriate relationship. She further alleged that when she rejected the proposal, the sender threatened her. During the protest, students alleged that if the administrators of the “SUST Update” Facebook page are unable to protect users' personal information, they should be held accountable for collecting it. They demanded that the authorities identify the owner of the phone number used to send the alleged messages and take legal action against the person. The protesters also called for accountability from the Facebook page administrators regarding the handling of users' personal information.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will hold a prayer and milad mahfil at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University on Wednesday to commemorate those killed in the historic July-August mass uprising and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The information was disclosed in a press release signed by JCD Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Tuesday (July 21). According to the press release, the student wing has announced a month-long programme to commemorate the historic July-August mass uprising, pay tribute to the martyrs and the injured, preserve its historical memory, recognize the contributions of all stakeholders, and strengthen national unity against fascism. As part of the programme, a prayer and milad mahfil will be held after Asr prayers on Wednesday (July 22) at the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka, seeking eternal peace for the souls of all those who were killed during the July-August uprising and praying for the swift recovery of those who were injured. JCD Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir are expected to attend the programme.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have suspended eight students of the Department of Physics over allegations of ragging first-year students. The university announced the decision in an office order signed by acting Registrar ABM Azizur Rahman on Tuesday afternoon. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen According to the order, the accused students, all from the department's 2024-25 academic session (54th batch), allegedly ragged several freshers of the 2025-26 academic session (55th batch) in the Monpura area on the western side of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Hall from 10:00pm on July 20 until around 3:00am the following day. The victims were allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment, verbal abuse and forced physical punishment, including repeated sit-ups while holding their ears. The office order said the alleged acts violated Section 5(6) of the “Jahangirnagar University Discipline Ordinance for Students-2018”, which prohibits teasing, ragging and all forms of abusive behaviour in university halls, academic departments and other areas on campus. After finding primary evidence, the university authorities suspended the eight students pending completion of disciplinary proceedings. The suspended students are Md Fazle Hasan Fahad, Md Al-Amin Hossain, Md Jahid Hasan, Md Faisal Ahmed, Md Mahmudul Hasan Khan Akib, Md Mahmudul Amin Siam, Md Mostafizur Rahman and Syed Sakib Ahmed Ratul. Following the alleged ragging incident, members of the JU Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and the university's Security Office rushed to the spot and rescued the victims. The victims later filed a written complaint with the university proctor. Following a preliminary investigation, the university administration took disciplinary action against the accused students.