An associate professor at the University of Dhaka (DU) has allegedly called a student a “fundamentalist” and a “terrorist” for wearing a niqab during a class.
The allegation was made against Associate Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, who allegedly made the remarks during a master’s class on Wednesday.
According to a Facebook post shared by one of the student’s classmates on her behalf, the teacher commented on students’ financial backgrounds and attire at the beginning of the lecture. She then allegedly asked the niqab-wearing student to move from the front row to the back, saying that the niqab made her uncomfortable and hindered her concentration during class.
Attempts to contact Associate Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, a teacher of the Department of English, for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, a delegation of students from the Department of English, led by Umme Salma, secretary of the Common Room, Reading Room and Cafeteria, submitted a written complaint to the university administration on Thursday, placing five demands.
The students called for an investigation and action. They also demanded the permanent dismissal of Tasneem Siraj Mahboob if the allegations are proven, an unconditional apology, her removal from teaching and academic evaluation responsibilities for the batch, and measures to ensure that no student faces academic harm or harassment.
Tajin Aziz Chaudhury, chairperson of the Department of English, said the department had held an informal meeting with students to hear their concerns and gather information about what took place in the classroom. She said a decision would be taken through an official departmental meeting.
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane told TIMES of Bangladesh that he had discussed the matter with the department chairperson after receiving the initial complaint.
He said he advised the department to obtain a written complaint and, if the allegations are substantiated, place the matter before the departmental academic committee before forwarding its recommendations to the university administration.
“I believe that, in order to maintain the university’s academic environment, no remarks regarding anyone’s religious freedom or liberty should be made in a way that prompts an entire class to protest,” Alfasane said.
He added that the university administration would consider the academic committee’s recommendations before taking any action.
Meanwhile, leaders of the DU unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha formed a human chain at the foot of the Raju Sculpture around 1:30pm on Thursday, demanding disciplinary action against the teacher.
