Protest against the demand to dismiss or remove Dhaka University teachers on political grounds and ban teachers’ organizations

Press statement

The Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Justice (CHRDJ) expresses deep concern and strong protest over the recent decision of the Dhaka University Syndicate and the subsequent developments.

According to information published in various media outlets, it has been reported that initiatives have been taken to dismiss, suspend or relieve several teachers of Dhaka University from academic and administrative duties based on political ideology, expression of opinion, organizational involvement or vague allegations.

At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the demand for a collective ban on any teacher organization, including the Progressive Teachers’ Organization, and the related investigation activities.

We want to state unequivocally that a teacher’s political ideology, expression of opinion as a citizen, or membership in a legitimate teachers’ organization cannot in itself be considered a breach of discipline or a crime. In order to take disciplinary action against a teacher, specific, individual, and verifiable misconduct must be established against him or her, and the entire process must be transparent, impartial, fair, and legal.

Dhaka University is not an ordinary administrative institution. This university has a historical role in the language movement, the great liberation war, the democratic struggle, progressive thought, the practice of free intellect and the movement for the establishment of civil rights. One of the fundamental foundations of the Dhaka University Order of 1973 is the autonomy of the university, excellence in education and research, freedom of knowledge and institutional democracy.

Therefore, the administrative power of the university should under no circumstances become a tool for ideological cleansing campaigns, suppression of dissent, or political vendetta.

According to the Dhaka University Order of 1973, although the university authorities have the power to appoint, dismiss, and suspend teachers, that power must be exercised in accordance with the relevant orders, statutes, and ordinances.

Vague allegations, collective liability, and punitive measures based on political affiliation or expression can undermine university autonomy, institutional justice, and the spirit of the rule of law.

Article 38 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the freedom of association of citizens and Article 39 guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and expression. Similarly, Articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) recognize freedom of expression and association, respectively.

UNESCO’s 1997 recommendations on the dignity of higher education teachers and staff also place special emphasis on academic freedom, institutional autonomy, freedom of expression, and the right to participate in professional and representative organizations.

We believe that the strength of a university lies not in ideological monotonicity; but rather in pluralism, critical thinking, freedom of research, reasoned debate, and tolerance for dissent.

If a culture of retaliatory action against dissenting teachers, researchers, or organizations is established with the political change, it will set a dangerous precedent for higher education in Bangladesh. It will create fear and uncertainty among the teaching community and, in the long run, will damage academic freedom, research, teaching, and the international standing of the university.

We would like to remind you at the same time that the spirit of the Liberation War can never be the name of suppression, political revenge, collective punishment or administrative oppression. The essence of the spirit of the Liberation War is human dignity, democracy, secularism, social justice, freedom of expression, the rule of law and the protection of civil rights. It is even more important to protect these values ​​in a historic institution like Dhaka University.

Our demands

• Recent teacher dismissals, suspensions, and decisions regarding exemptions from academic or administrative duties must be immediately reconsidered in light of fairness and due process.
• Any investigation or disciplinary action must be conducted on the basis of specific allegations, individual evidence, adequate opportunity for defense, and a fair and transparent hearing.
• Political ideology, civic expression, or membership in any legitimate teachers’ organization cannot be considered a punishable offense.
• No initiative can be taken to collectively ban any teachers’ organization based on political or ideological identity. If there are specific allegations against someone, they must be tried individually and through legal processes.
• The university’s autonomy, academic freedom, institutional democracy, and the spirit of justice enshrined in the Dhaka University Order of 1973 must be upheld.
• Universities must be protected as safe spaces for knowledge, research, debate, and free thought, rather than being made a place of political vendetta and ideological monoliths.
• Transparency, accountability, impartiality, evidence-based, and the rule of law must be ensured in all investigations and disciplinary actions by the university administration.

We call on the Bangladesh government, Dhaka University authorities, the University Grants Commission, the country’s teaching community, civil society, human rights organizations, and the international academic community to be vocal in protecting academic freedom, teacher rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of association in Bangladesh’s universities and to take a principled stand against any politically retaliatory, discriminatory, or unjust actions.

CHRDJ firmly believes that universities are not a place for political revenge; they should be a safe haven for free thought, knowledge, reason and pluralism. In order to protect the historical dignity and democratic tradition of Dhaka University, it is the demand of the hour to ensure the right to fearless expression of opinions, freedom of association, academic freedom and due process for teachers, students and researchers.

Thank you,

Dr. Mahbub Alam Pradeep, Convener [Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Justice (CHRDJ)]
Dr. Molla Haque, Joint Convener [Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Justice (CHRDJ)]