The Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has expressed strong protest the university Syndicate’s recent decision to expel one professor and relieve six others of their academic and administrative duties.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the association described the move as a violation of the university’s laws, long-standing traditions, and the principles of justice.
The DUTA has demanded the immediate withdrawal of these disciplinary actions, which have so far affected a total of 10 teachers.
This follows a Syndicate meeting held on 28 July where one professor was expelled and six others were relieved of their duties, in addition to three teachers who were suspended during a previous meeting on 22 June.
Legal and procedural concerns
The statement, signed by DUTA President Professor Md Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan and General Secretary Professor Zeenat Huda, asserted that under “Dhaka University Order, 1973,” no disciplinary action can be taken against a teacher or official until allegations are proven through an investigation committee and a tribunal.
The association claimed that the decisions were made without allowing the accused teachers to defend themselves, respond to charges, or face their accusers.
The DUTA further alleged that the current administration is continuing a trend set by the previous one, which reportedly sidelined 70 to 80 teachers from academic activities, creating an environment of social humiliation.
They argued that such actions, particularly those targeting dissenting voices following political changes, foster a culture of fear and insecurity within the teaching community.
Key sanctions and allegations
According to a press release from Dhaka University’s Public Relations Office, Professor Sadeka Halim of Department of Sociology has been suspended.
Halim, a former vice-chancellor of Jagannath University and a member of the advisory council of activities banned Awami League, faces allegations of “unprofessional conduct” and “moral turpitude”.
She told reporters she would refrain from commenting until a final decision is reached by the tribunal.
Other teachers facing temporary suspension include Professor Md Shafiqul Islam and Professor Afroza Shelley of Department of Nuclear Engineering, following complaints from various student batches and subsequent inquiry reports.
Professor Md Abdul Muhit has been relieved of his post as chairman of Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology and barred from all academic and administrative duties.
He is accused of activities contrary to the spirit of the July uprising, spreading anti-government and anti-administration propaganda, and supporting banned organisations.
Similar restrictions have been placed on Professor Abu Shara Shamsur Rouf (Pharmaceutical Technology) and Professor Md Rafiqul Islam, also known as Rafiq Shahriar (Peace and Conflict Studies), on similar grounds.
Professor Mohammad Bahauddin of Department of Persian Language and Literature has also been barred from academic and administrative duties following allegations of irregularities and plagiarism in MPhil and PhD research papers.
Administrative actions
In the administrative sector, AKM Mahbub Mustafa, a superintending engineer (civil), has been suspended for actions violating office discipline.
The Syndicate has also formed a high-level committee, headed by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Abdus Salam and including all faculty deans, to investigate potential irregularities and ensure transparency in teacher recruitments made between 1 January 2009 and June 2024.
Additionally, a policy decision has been reached to act against individuals or groups involved in activities deemed contrary to the spirit of July uprising, with further decisions pending a verification process.
