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Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha’s Dhaka University unit has expressed deep concern and protested against the alleged harassment of a female student wearing hijab and niqab by a teacher of the university’s Department of English.
In a statement, the organisation alleged that teacher Tasnim Siraj Mahbub made derogatory remarks about the student in the classroom and labelled her a “fundamentalist” and “militant”.
The organisation said there was no place for hostility towards hijab and niqab in the name of progressivism at an educational institution such as Dhaka University, which it described as an important centre of Muslim identity in the subcontinent.
It alleged that the remarks reflected personal hostility and “hijabophobia” on the part of the teacher.
The organisation also referred to the July mass uprising, saying it had been aimed at eliminating what it called “fascist culture” from the country.
“It is deeply regrettable that, despite so many sacrifices, people who uphold such a culture are still holding positions in important institutions,” the statement said.
The organisation also praised the students who, it said, spontaneously protested the alleged behaviour towards their classmate and boycotted classes in solidarity.
It called for clear university guidelines to prevent such incidents from recurring and demanded that discrimination and harassment over religious attire be incorporated into the university’s written policies as punishable misconduct.
It also called for disciplinary action if allegations are proven and said the level of punishment and procedures for dealing with such cases should be clearly specified in the university’s regulations.