2 UAP teachers terminated amid student protests

The University of Asia Pacific (UAP), which announced an indefinite closure on Monday, remained shut yesterday amid ongoing student protests over a controversial Facebook post, the subsequent termination of two faculty members, and demands for the vice-chancellor’s removal.

On Sunday, the university administration issued a notice terminating Assistant Professor Layeqa Bashir and Associate Professor ASM Mohsin of the Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, citing the “prevailing situation resulting from student protests”.

The notice did not cite any allegations, findings or inquiry conclusions.

The following day, the university announced that all classes would be suspended until further notice, saying the situation was not favourable for continuing regular academic activities.

Meanwhile, students continued their protests yesterday, demanding the resignation of UAP Vice-Chancellor Prof Qumrul Ahsan.

The controversy dates back to December 10, when Prof Layeqa made a Facebook post, which she said was shared only with friends on her profile.

In the post, she expressed opposition to face covering, commonly known as niqab, and said religion did not require it. She described the practice as objectionable and said it “heightens the risk of criminal behaviour”.

She cited the Mohammadpur double-murder incident, saying the domestic worker who committed the killings had kept her face covered.

The post triggered backlash from a section of former and current students, who demanded her termination.

As criticism intensified, she made another Facebook post on December 17, saying the remarks were personal and written from a standpoint of personal security following the Mohammadpur double-murder. She apologised if anyone felt hurt and said the post had no connection with her workplace.

The protesters also demanded the termination of Prof ASM Mohsin, the department chairman, for allegedly not taking any action against Prof Layeqa. They further alleged that he turned down proposals for setting up an Islamic club and hosting a Seerat Conference (a gathering held to honour the life, teachings and character of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]).

On January 18, before the terminations, students accused Layeqa of making derogatory remarks about Islamic practices.

After the terminations the same day, protesting student Mohammad Maruf Hossain told the media that peaceful protests against injustice should not be labelled “mob violence”, adding that delays in the inquiry process had prompted the protests.

On January 19, both teachers wrote to the University Grants Commission  Chairman Prof SMA Faiz.

In her letter, Prof Layeqa wrote that the UAP VC told her on December 14 to resign, and that she met him, the pro-VC and the Board of Trustees chairperson the following day, seeking a formal investigation. She added that the university later invited complaints and formed an inquiry committee amid online harassment.

She said she filed a general diary with Tejgaon Police Station on December 22, and that officials from the Detective Branch and Dhaka Metropolitan Police visited the university on January 12.

Layeqa further alleged that the authorities asked her to resign instead of being  suspended, saying she would receive all benefits if she resigned but would “lose everything” otherwise. She said she declined and chose to stand for her lawful rights.

An inquiry committee was formed for her, but she said no report was submitted before the termination decision. A January 15 letter gave her until January 22 to submit a written response, but she was terminated on January 18.

Contacted by The Daily Star, she asked, “On what basis can someone be permanently removed without concluding the inquiry?”

She also alleged that the authorities emailed the entire student body inviting complaints after the committee was formed.

Layeqa said she no longer believed the agitation was driven mainly by current students. “I am fairly certain that more than present students, ex-students are controlling this. And there is definitely a political link behind them.”

She alleged that the campaign against her had right-wing leanings and claimed teachers aligned with those sentiments were pulling the strings.

She added that semesterly evaluations would have flagged earlier complaints if she held anti-religion views. She also said verifying identity during exams, vivas or interviews, including checks for devices, is routine and lawful.

Mohsin, the other terminated teacher, said no written complaint was filed against him, no inquiry committee was formed, and he was given no opportunity to respond.

“I only came to know about my termination through social media,” he told this correspondent, adding that no allegation was formally communicated to him.

He said he was targeted through political labelling, adding that the controversy began when a book by Shyamoli Ghosh on Awami League history was displayed at the 2024 book fair while he was in charge of the Department of Student Welfare. The issue resurfaced in December 2025.

He added that he was labelled a “fascist” and falsely accused of links to Chhatra League or Jubo League.

Mohsin further said that he supported students during the July uprising by providing them with medical and legal aid, but he did it all quietly out of safety concerns.

He said students demanded an Islamic Club and a Seerat Conference, and that he explained the department could not approve a club or budget without permission from the central authority. He said this was misinterpreted as him blocking Islamic activities.

Students have been demonstrating for what they described as reforms to academic discipline, campus security and values-based practices.

The demands included prior closure of classrooms before examinations, mandatory preparatory leave ahead of finals, limits on tuition and examination fees, stricter identity verification during exams and vivas, and changes to how student evaluations are used to assess faculty performance.

They also sought approval for an Islamic Ethics Club, regular seminars under the club, arrangements for prayer facilities, improved campus transport and security for female students, restrictions on underground classrooms, and adjustments to academic schedules during the holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin of February 19.

CRITICISM OVER THE TERMINATION PROCESS

The terminations and the way they were carried out drew strong criticism from academics, who questioned the absence of due process and the lack of completed inquiry procedures.

Contacted, Dhaka University Sociology Professor Samina Luthfa said, “This is not just about Layeqa Bashir or Mohsin; this is actually a direct insult and assault on academic freedom in any university in Bangladesh.”

She described the process as orchestrated and devoid of due process, saying the teachers were dismissed without a chance to defend themselves. She termed it a violation of basic human rights.

Luthfa warned that the names of the VC, pro-VC and Board of Trustees would be remembered “for creating one of the worst crises of academic freedom in Bangladesh”.

“If the UAP administration wants to run a commercial enterprise where the customer is always right, they should open a business firm, not a university,” she said.

Three UAP teachers said actions taken before the inquiry was completed have fueled fear amid online abuse and derogatory labelling.

In a statement issued on January 19, the University Teachers Network condemned what it described as “mob coercion” by a section of students and the “arbitrary and undemocratic role” of the UAP administration.

UGC member Mohammad Anwar Hossain, in charge of the Private University Management Department, described the incident as unwanted and unexpected, adding that the commission formed two committees. “One is on the teachers’ complaints, pay and rights, and another on sexual harassment issues.”

UGC Chairman Prof SMA Faiz said the commission was not yet in a position to comment further and would speak after reviewing the committees’ reports.

This newspaper contacted the UAP VC, pro-VC and registrar by phone and WhatsApp, but received no response.

A meeting was held in the evening between the protesters, the university administration and the Board of Trustees, but the outcome remained unclear despite repeated attempts to contact the parties.