A series of incidents involving the harassment and intimidation of university teachers has raised concern across Bangladesh’s public universities, as administrations have yet to take visible disciplinary action against students accused of involvement.
In recent months, teachers at Dhaka University (DU), Chittagong University (CU), Rajshahi University (RU), Jahangirnagar University (JU), and several other institutions have reportedly faced public humiliation, intimidation, physical assault, or confinement inside administrative offices.
Videos of some of the incidents circulating on social media have drawn criticism from academics and civil society, prompting renewed debate over mob behavior, campus discipline, and the erosion of due process in higher education institutions.
Teachers’ organizations and campus sources have alleged that some of the students involved in these incidents were affiliated with student political groups. However, no official confirmation has been issued by university authorities regarding organizational involvement.
Teacher taken to proctor’s office at CU
The most recent incident occurred on Saturday, January 10, during Chittagong University’s undergraduate admission examinations.
Hasan Muhammad Roman Shuvo, an assistant professor in the Law Department, was allegedly harassed and forcibly taken to the proctor’s office by several students, including leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu).
According to eyewitnesses, a group of students chased the teacher from an examination centre, dragged him across the campus, and searched his mobile phone. A video of the incident shows several students physically restraining the teacher and forcing him into an autorickshaw while he called for help.
Cucsu leaders, including Law and Human Rights Secretary Fazle Rabbi Tawhid and Office Secretary Abdullah Al Noman, claimed the teacher had previously been involved in suppressing student movements during the July 2024 uprising. They also alleged that investigations against him were ongoing.
Roman Shuvo denied the allegations. “I did not participate in the July movement, nor did I file cases against students. If anyone can prove otherwise, I am ready to accept any punishment,” he said while confined inside the proctor’s office.
Similar incident reported at DU
A similar incident was reported at Dhaka University on December 11 last year, when Sociology Professor AKM Jamal Uddin was allegedly harassed by DU Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Social Service Secretary Jubaer Bin Neshari alias AB Jubaer, inside the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Witnesses said the professor was chased across the building and narrowly avoided further confrontation by leaving the campus in a vehicle.
Later, Jubaer justified the incident in a Facebook post, alleging that “collaborators of authoritarianism” were holding a secret meeting on campus.
No disciplinary action has been reported against the student leader so far.
Administration’s response questioned
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka University Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed made comments that appeared to justify student actions in certain circumstances.
He said legal cases were pending against one of the teachers concerned and questioned whether the university administration had jurisdiction to punish students if they detained an individual and took him to a police station.
“When legal cases are involved, the issue of jurisdiction becomes complex,” he said.
Asked whether the administration’s inaction risked legitimizing mob behavior, Ahmed challenged the characterization.
“What constitutes a mob can be a matter of perception,” he said.
He also questioned whether the individuals involved should necessarily be regarded as teachers, adding that the matter required clarification.
“I do not personally support mob actions,” he said, adding that such situations often arise from administrative shortcomings.
Ahmed further stated that identifying and handing over individuals accused of serious crimes to law enforcement could be considered a civic responsibility.
Referring to past instances, he said teachers had previously faced dismissal without due process for expressing opinions or writing critically, adding that the current administration was comparatively more procedural.
Academics warn against mob justice
Rajshahi University Professor Abdullah Al Mamun said the government and university administrations were failing to take sufficiently strong action against harassment of teachers.
He criticized attempts to justify such incidents using alternative terminology, arguing that this undermined the seriousness of the issue.
“When mobs are described as ‘pressure groups,’ it weakens the rule of law,” he said, adding that continued inaction raised questions about the government’s intentions.
Attempts to contact Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond.
Professor Mamun also said that many individuals were being harassed after being labelled as supporters of specific political parties, describing the trend as a continuation of discriminatory practices.
“The culture from which the 2024 mass uprising sought liberation risks being repeated,” he said.
Dhaka University Professor Samina Luthfa said allegations involving criminal or social wrongdoing must be addressed through established legal and institutional mechanisms, not by students taking matters into their own hands.
“Even if there is evidence of misconduct by teachers, due process must be followed,” she said, noting that Dhaka University is governed by the 1973 Ordinance, which outlines procedures for investigation and disciplinary action.
She said physical harassment was unacceptable under any circumstances.
“Dragging someone out or subjecting them to abuse cannot be justified,” she said.
Commenting on remarks questioning whether the individuals involved were teachers, Luthfa said such statements appeared politically motivated.
“As long as someone is in service, they have rights as a teacher and as a citizen,” she said. “An administrator cannot condone student hooliganism, especially when responsible for campus security.”
Calls for action
Teachers’ organizations, including the University Teachers’ Network, Dhaka University’s White Panel, and the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum at Jahangirnagar University, have condemned the incidents and called for immediate, impartial investigations.
They warned that continued inaction could normalize mob violence on campuses, undermine academic freedom, and damage the country’s higher education environment.
So far, no university administration has issued formal notices to deter such acts or announced disciplinary measures against students allegedly involved.
