College lecturer suspended over Aug 15 Facebook post paying respect to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

A lecturer at Nandangachi Degree College in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi has been suspended following student protests over an August 15 Facebook post in which she shared a photograph of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and paid him “humble respect.”

Soheli Akter, a lecturer in the Home Science department of the college, was suspended today amid demonstrations, according to college authorities.

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Wahedul Islam, principal of Nandangachi Degree College, told The Daily Star, “We noticed the post last night. Following that, amid protests by students at the college today, she was suspended in haste. All the teachers were present there,” he said.

The principal admitted that no show-cause notice had been issued before the suspension. “Procedures will be followed and everything will be done soon,” he added.

Asked about the reason for suspension, Wahedul said posting a photograph of someone belonging to a banned organisation in such a manner was prohibited. “For this reason, she has been temporarily suspended,” he said.

Soheli said she had not received any formal letter from the college. “I have only seen it on Facebook and news portals throughout the day. The college has not informed me by phone either,” she said.

Defending her post, she said: “I made a post on August 15 featuring a photograph of Bangabandhu and a caption expressing respect. I do not believe there was anything wrong with it. I am now hearing that I have apparently committed an act of treason, which I strongly protest. Had I received a letter, I could have responded, but I did not receive one.”

“When I called the principal, he told me not to come to college today, saying there could be trouble if I came. So I did not go,” Soheli said, adding that a group gathered in front of the college protesting her action.