Dhaka, 24 January 2024,
A extremist islamist student group of BRAC University students held a sit-in at the campus’s main gate on Tuesday under the banner “BRAC University Students Community,” protesting the non-renewal of adjunct philosophy teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha’s contract after he publicly opposed—and tore a page from—the Grade 7 textbook story “From Sharif to Sharifa.” The demonstrators issued two demands: a clear explanation for Mahtab’s termination and a clear statement from the university on transgender issues. They warned of a semester-fee boycott and class boycott if the demands were not met.
Several participants advanced explicitly anti-LGBTQ messages during the protest. One student said there is “no place for LGBTQ or transgender people in Bangladesh” and claimed transgender identity is “illegal in all religions.” Placards reported from the scene read “Say ‘No’ to LGBTQ” and “We don’t promote LGBTQ.” Local coverage has described the mobilisers as a pro-Islamist student group rallying in support of Mahtab.
The protest followed Mahtab’s claim that he was told by phone on Sunday night not to attend classes and that his contract would not be renewed. In a Facebook post, he wrote that no reason was given. BRAC University, in a statement the next day, said Mahtab had served as an adjunct on contract and was “currently not under any contract,” adding that the university upholds freedom of expression while promoting collaborative, inclusive, and collegial conduct.
The initial controversy stemmed from a seminar at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail, where Mahtab criticised the new curriculum’s inclusion of a transgender-themed story and tore a page from the textbook chapter, drawing wide attention and sparking campus-level protests.
Source:
New Age — “Students protest at termination of BRAC Univ teacher Asif”: New Age
bdnews24.com (Bangla) — “আসিফ মাহতাবকে পুনর্বহালের দাবিতে ব্র্যাক বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে বিক্ষোভ”: bdnews24.com
Somoy News — “Outrage at Mahtab’s Dismissal: Students close BRAC University Gates”: Somoy News
- Video News Coverage: Kalbela News , Kalbela News , News24 , Desh TV
