The authorities of the private University of Asia Pacific (UAP) have dismissed two teachers following allegations of "blasphemy" and "Awami League sympathiser" tags.
The dismissed teachers are Assistant Professor Layeka Bashir and Associate Professor Dr ASM Mohsin.
The university’s Public Relations Officer Sadik Hasan Palash confirmed on Sunday that the two teachers were relieved of their duties. He said: “The students demanded their removal. The university authorities implemented it yesterday.”
Among the dismissed teachers, Assistant Professor Layeka Bashir was serving as an assistant professor (Sociology) in the Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities. Dr ASM Mohsin was an associate professor of the same department and also served as its head.
According to sources, the two teachers were removed on allegations of blasphemy and being soft sympathisers of the ousted Awami League. However, both teachers have denied the allegations against them. They claim that a powerful section of the university’s senior management orchestrated the move.
Students and relevant stakeholders alleged that a "mob" was created within the university under the guise of a movement, and the authorities were compelled to remove the two teachers under pressure.
They said that for several days, the teachers were targeted and subjected to organized agitation in the name of protest.
Sources further said that Assistant Professor Layeka Bashir teaches "Social History" a course that includes discussions on the origin and development of different religions.
This topic was also allegedly misrepresented. While a section of students accused her of blasphemy, general students claimed that false allegations were brought to frame her at the instigation of a particular group. Demands for her removal were raised citing blasphemy.
The removal of the two teachers has sparked widespread criticism on social media. On condition of anonymity, a student said: “Some students claim that a teacher asked a student to remove her niqab to verify her identity. However, since that allegation would not hold, the demand for removal was raised by accusing the teacher of asking a student to remove her hijab.”
When contacted, Assistant Professor Layeka Bashir said: “Right-wing students of UAP are carrying out mob intimidation against me to force my removal. Following the Mohammadpur double murder incident involving a masked domestic worker, one of my friends made a Facebook post on December 10. Using that issue, some former students of my university started threatening me online and spreading defamatory content. In that context, on the evening of December 14, the UAP vice-chancellor verbally instructed me to submit my resignation immediately."
"The next day, I met the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, chairperson of the Board of Trustees, and other senior officials and verbally requested an investigation. Subsequently, the authorities called for fresh complaints and formed an inquiry committee. Despite that, cyberbullying against me continued through some student Facebook pages and groups, branding me as ‘anti-Islam.’ I believe a powerful section of the university’s senior management is using these students as pawns," she said.
Regarding the blasphemy label, Layeka Bashir wrote on her Facebook account on January 17: “What I wrote earlier about face covering was written from the perspective of personal security. No one was belittled, nor was religious attire questioned. After the Mohammadpur double murder incident, it was my personal opinion as a citizen of the country. It has no connection with my workplace, UAP. The misunderstanding created around this is unfortunate. If anyone’s sentiments were hurt, I sincerely apologise.”
On the blasphemy allegation, she said: “After the Mohammadpur double murder incident, I wrote on Facebook as a citizen. It was my personal opinion and has no relation to my workplace. Yet, a mob was created by branding me with the tag of ‘blasphemy’ and demanding my removal.”
Associate Professor Dr ASM Mohsin said: “I do not know the exact reason for my removal. I have not yet received any official termination letter. I have heard that I was labelled as a sympathiser of the Awami League. In reality, a mob was created in the name of a movement within the university, and my removal was demanded.”
Sources said that Dr Mohsin had expressed soft support for the Awami League on social media. As a result, students demanded his removal by labelling him a sympathiser of the party. The university authorities were compelled to remove him under student pressure.
Meanwhile, students of the university had recently demanded the removal of the vice-chancellor as well. Later, stepping back from that demand, some former students first demanded the removal of Layeka Bashir on allegations of blasphemy. Subsequently, they demanded the resignation of Associate Professor Dr ASM Mohsin from the same department.
It was also learned that a few months ago, as convenor of the university’s complaint committee, Layeka Bashir investigated a sexual harassment case and proposed disciplinary action. As a result, senior authorities who allegedly supported the accused and misconduct became displeased with her. She has since been targeted, Layeka Bashir said.
She added: "I proposed punishment in a sexual harassment case. I also played a frontline role during the July uprising, which may have caused jealousy among some. Considering my personal safety, I filed a general diary at Tejgaon Police Station on December 22 last year.”
