The comment made by a Rajshahi University (RU) teacher has drawn criticism as he called Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain a “kafir–murtad” on social media.

Khandaker Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Associate Professor of Physics Department, shared someone else’s Facebook post on Tuesday morning, and added the caption: “Today is the birthday of the murtad-kafir Begum Rokeya.”

The post quickly triggered widespread criticism.

Former RU student S. M. Atik reacted by saying, “August 5 gave us freedom of speech. That’s why even a physics teacher can now give a religious verdict.”

RUCSU Cultural Affairs Secretary Zayid Hasan Zoha said, “Everyone has their own philosophy and standard. But such comments shouldn’t be made publicly. I don’t want to say any more than that.”

Zahin Biswas Esha, Joint General Secretary of RU Chhatra Dal Unit, stated, “Begum Rokeya is recognized in the subcontinent as a pioneer of women’s empowerment. Because of her contributions, women today are able to prove themselves in education, politics, and every field. Making such comments about her insults the womenfolk. This statement is completely unacceptable.”

When contacted, Associate Professor Mahmudul Hasan said, “The explanation has already been given in the original post I shared. If you want to verify the truth of my statement, ask a knowledgeable religious scholar.”

Begum Rokeya is remembered every year by the government of Bangladesh, presenting renowned persons with Rokeya Padak on her birth and death anniversaries. She was born on December 9, 1880, at Payrabandh village in Mithapukur of Rangpur, and died on the same date in 1932 at Sodepur in Kolkata.

Throughout her life, she fought for women’s equal rights in the state, society, and family. She stood firmly against child marriage, dowry, religious misinterpretation, and all forms of discrimination against women. Her works—Motichur, Sultana’s Dream, Padmarag, Abarodhbasini, and others—exposed religious extremism, social superstition, and the oppression faced by women.