Teacher Harassment Under ‘General Students’ Banner Raises Alarm at CU

A series of incidents involving the harassment of teachers at the University of Chittagong (CU) has spread deep concern and fear across the campus. Evidence has emerged that a large section of those involved in these incidents carried out under the banner of “general students” have political links with Islami Chhatra Shibir. Questions are being raised not only about the accused individuals but also about the university administration, which has failed to take any effective action even after the incidents.

The issue came into sharp focus on July 4, 2025, when individuals entered the vice-chancellor’s office and threatened him. According to eyewitnesses, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Yahya Akhter was told that day, “You are not sitting here on your own merit; we have seated you.” On the same day, Assistant Professor Kushal Baran Chakraborty of the Sanskrit Department was confined inside the administrative building for three hours. Earlier, on October 23, 2024, History Department teacher Rantu Das was harassed and forced to resign. Most recently, on January 10, Law Department teacher Hasan Mohammad Roman was chased, detained, and handed over to the proctorial office.

Internal inquiries within the university reveal that many of the individuals leading these incidents are current or former leaders and activists of the CU unit of Chhatra Shibir or are affiliated with Shibir-backed student organizations. Several of those who played leading roles in recent incidents were elected in this year’s Chaksu election from the Shibir-backed “Sampriti Student Alliance” panel. It is alleged that the “general student” banner is being used to conceal political identity and legitimize the harassment of teachers.

Advocate Akhtar Kabir Chowdhury, general secretary of Citizens for Good Governance, Chattogram Metropolitan, said that universities are places of knowledge. According to him, the emerging “mob culture” is setting a dangerous precedent. He believes that due to political patronage, victimized teachers are afraid to file complaints, while administrative silence is further complicating the situation.

However, Chaksu Vice President and CU unit Chhatra Shibir president Ibrahim Roni described these incidents as “student resistance.” He claimed that those against whom students took action had previously harmed students. By stating that “students are doing their job” even before any investigation report is published, he effectively attempted to justify punishment outside the judicial process, triggering fresh controversy.

Victimized teacher Hasan Mohammad Roman rejected the allegations against him, saying that he was not involved in any political activities during the July violence. Proctor Hossain Shahid Sarwardi also clarified that assistant proctors cannot expel students or act as complainants in cases; such decisions are made through institutional committees.

Nevertheless, the most serious question remains the role of the administration. The acting registrar and the pro-vice-chancellor (administration) stated that they had not received any “written complaints” regarding teacher harassment. However, no explanation has been given as to why no suo motu investigation was initiated despite multiple public incidents. Amid teachers’ reluctance to be named, it is clear that administrative inaction is encouraging “mob justice” and undermining the safe academic environment of the university.

According to experts, if a teacher commits an offense, they must be tried through legal and institutional processes. But if harassment of teachers continues under the cover of partisan identity, the University of Chittagong will not only lose its academic environment but also set a dangerous precedent for society.