Dhaka University Teacher Relieved of All Teaching Duties

Tasnim Shirin Mahabub, an associate professor in the Department of English at Dhaka University, has been relieved of all teaching duties following student allegations that she labeled a niqab-wearing student a fundamentalist and a terrorist while suggesting she could carry out a bomb attack. The incident occurred during a class on Wednesday for the 2019-20 academic session during a discussion on purdah. In protest, students walked out and boycotted classes, later submitting a formal memorandum to the proctor’s office demanding an impartial investigation and legal action.

Addressing the development on Thursday, Professor Dr. Tazeen Aziz Chaudhury, chair of the English department, confirmed that the instructor’s courses have been redistributed among other faculty members. She clarified that while this is an interim administrative measure rather than a final disciplinary ruling, the matter has been forwarded to the university’s higher authorities for formal review and subsequent action in accordance with institutional rules. The accused teacher declined to comment over the phone as she was currently hospitalized.

Commenting on the controversy, Professor Dr. Mohammad Abul Kalam Sarkar, dean of the Faculty of Arts, stated that everyone possesses the fundamental right to observe purdah according to their personal choice. He further emphasized that if the allegations against the faculty member are proven true during the investigation, making such severe and unwarranted remarks against a student is completely unacceptable.