Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, an associate professor in the Department of English at Dhaka University, has made a statement explaining her position regarding a classroom incident and the departmental action that followed.
Expressing concern over a fair investigation, her right to defend herself, and her personal safety, she sought the intervention of the university authorities.
Referring to an incident during a Master’s class on 7 October, Tasneem said she had always adhered to religious values and discipline throughout her 34-year educational journey and therefore would never disrespect a student’s religious beliefs or attire.
Explaining the circumstances, she said a female student’s face, including her eyes, was fully covered, making it difficult for her to identify the student and communicate directly with her. She said that she raised the issue solely to facilitate teaching and effective communication.
Using the examples of the burqa and hijab, she said she discussed modesty and identity verification from both religious and practical perspectives.
The teacher also maintained that she neither instructed the student to change her attire nor asked her to remove her niqab or leave the classroom. She said she had only expressed discomfort over the student’s eyes being covered.
She further said that after learning that the student had left the class, she waited in the corridor for about 10 minutes to apologise and repeatedly sent messages requesting a meeting.
However, although the student was reportedly in another room, she did not meet her. Tasneem said she later had to leave for the hospital because a family member required emergency surgery.
“My statements are being circulated in a distorted manner, failing to convey the actual context and intention behind what I said,” she said.
She later learned that the Department of English had reassigned all of her courses to other teachers based on a written complaint from students without hearing her side of the story.
“I am deeply hurt that such a decision was taken before I was given an opportunity to defend myself,” she said.
She also expressed concern over anonymous phone calls, emails and threats received through social media and other channels.
The teacher sought legal and policy-related support from the university authorities to ensure the dignity and safety of everyone involved, including the student concerned, and to stop threats and harassment.
She added that the classroom should remain a respectful and safe space for both teachers and students.
Following a written complaint by students regarding a niqab-related classroom incident, the department’s Academic Committee held an emergency meeting on October 8. In view of the allegations and the recent incident, the committee adopted a resolution under which Tasneem’s courses were reassigned to other teachers.
