A teacher supervising the first-year undergraduate admission test at Chittagong University was reportedly physically harassed and forcibly taken to the proctor’s office by Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) leaders on Saturday, university sources said.
Around 12pm, four Cucsu leaders reportedly chased the teacher from the examination center in front of the Faculty of Law and dragged him to the proctor’s office.
The victim, Hasan Mohammad, is an assistant professor in the Law Department, a former assistant proctor, and affiliated with a faction of the Awami and leftist teachers’ political organization, the Yellow Party.
He remained in the proctor’s office until 3pm, during which proctorial officials and Cucsu leaders reportedly searched his mobile phone. A video of the incident, circulating on Facebook, showed several people dragging Hasan Mohammad, including one holding him from behind.
Cucsu leaders identified in the footage include department secretary Abdullah Al Noman, library and cafeteria secretary Masum Billah, law and human rights secretary Fazle Rabbi, and executive member Sohanur Rahman. Hasan Mohammad can be heard shouting as he was lifted into an auto-rickshaw and taken away.
Speaking at the proctor’s office, Hasan Mohammad said: “While supervising at the examination center, teachers and staff informed me that the situation was not good. When I left the center, Cucsu leaders shouted and screamed, and I ran in fear. Even then, I was not released, and a mob was created against me.”
Fazle Rabbi denied the harassment allegations, claiming that Hasan Mohammad, while serving as assistant proctor, had previously filed cases against students involved in democratic movements and was directly involved in actions during the July popular uprising.
“An administrative investigation was ongoing against him. We went to the Law Faculty dean to inquire why an accused teacher was supervising exams. Hearing of our presence, he tried to escape, fell against a tree, and was brought to the proctor’s office,” Rabbi said.
Abdullah Al Noman also denied any assault, saying: “He was not beaten. During our inspection of the Law Faculty, we found him there. He ran behind the faculty gallery and fell, injuring himself.”
Proctor Professor Hossain Shahid Sarwardi said: “He has been performing duties in all exams so far. Hearing of the unrest, we immediately went to the scene. We are currently searching his mobile and reviewing the overall situation.”
Acting University Registrar Professor Mohammad Saiful Islam said: “There are multiple complaints against the teacher. An investigation committee was formed, and based on its report, his salary has been withheld. How he was assigned examination duties, I cannot say.”
