The University Teachers Network (UTN) has called for an immediate halt to what it described as unauthorised, aggressive and extrajudicial activities by elected student representatives on university campuses, warning that such actions are undermining academic freedom and the overall educational environment.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the UTN said that following the shooting of young politician Sharif Osman Hadi on December 12 and his death on December 18, “opportunistic groups” have exploited public anger and frustration, leading to a series of violent and disturbing incidents across the country.
The statement cited attacks on media outlets, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, assaults on cultural institutions such as Chhayanaut and Udichi, harassment of journalist-editor Nurul Kabir, and multiple incidents of mob violence and killings in different districts, including Mymensingh, Lakshmipur and Rajshahi.
While reiterating its demand for justice in the Osman Hadi murder case, the UTN said it strongly condemns all forms of mob violence, arson and criminal acts carried out under the guise of protest or political activism.
The teachers’ platform expressed particular concern over developments at Rajshahi University, alleging that leaders of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) have engaged in intimidation, threats and actions beyond their constitutional mandate.
According to the statement, demands for the resignation of certain deans, verbal abuse, attempts to humiliate teachers and threats against so-called “pro-League” faculty members have created an atmosphere of fear on campus. The UTN alleged that the selective targeting of six deans, while others were spared, raised serious questions about political bias.
The statement also criticised remarks attributed to Rucsu and other student leaders that allegedly called for physical violence, exclusion of teachers from classrooms and attacks on media houses and cultural organisations.
The UTN claimed such rhetoric amounts to hate speech and incitement, and has contributed to unrest spreading beyond campuses into wider society.
Expressing disappointment, the UTN said university administrations, particularly at Rajshahi University, have failed to take adequate action against what it termed “criminal behaviour” by student leaders.
It warned that these actions not only disrupt education but pose a direct threat to academic freedom nationwide.
The UTN also criticised the government’s handling of law and order, saying the Ministry of Home Affairs has failed to prevent repeated incidents of mob violence, arson and attacks on individuals, institutions and cultural practices since July.
The statement demanded the swift arrest of those responsible for Osman Hadi’s killing, an end to harassment and vigilante-style actions by student representatives, and disciplinary measures against student leaders of Rucsu, Jucsu and Ducsu accused of incitement or direct involvement in violence.
It also urged political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to rein in their affiliated student organisations, and warned against any culture of impunity for inciting or carrying out violence.
“Incitement to violence is a crime,” the UTN said, calling on authorities to act decisively to restore safety, rule of law and academic freedom on university campuses.