Progressive Teachers, Intellectuals, and Academics of Bangladesh Public Universities
Concern and Statement on the Repression of Academics and Intellectuals

We are deeply concerned to observe that in the country’s public universities, incidents are increasingly occurring where teachers are being subjected to fabricated cases, illegal FIRs, expulsion from universities, administrative harassment, and various other forms of intimidation. Teachers are also facing psychological harassment through the use of tabloid culture, trolling, and social defamation. In different universities, evaluation based on merit, skills, qualifications, research work, and publications is being obstructed through discriminatory and divisive actions. At the same time, teachers are facing expulsion, threats, and insults for expressing their personal opinions on social media. In some cases, fabricated allegations are used to remove university teachers from academic and research activities, to deny them leave, and even to terminate their employment.

The descendants of the martyred intellectuals of the Liberation War are living in extreme insecurity and anxiety. Such repressive measures are contrary to the spirit of a free and sovereign Bangladesh, the independence of the education system, the right to free expression, and democratic values. The teaching community is the conscience of the nation and the custodian of human values; such hostile treatment towards them tarnishes the image of educational institutions and undermines the quality of education as well as its secular independence. This is also a matter of concern for the entire civilized world.

We strongly condemn these incidents and demand the immediate withdrawal of fabricated cases, the release of those who have been subjected to FIRs, and the cancellation of expulsion orders. At the same time, we urge the concerned authorities to ensure teachers’ safety, protect their right to free expression, and put an end to collective obstruction and harassment of their activities. In this alarming situation, we call for solidarity from the entire teaching community of the country.