DU teacher seeks probe, cites security concerns
DU Teacher Calls for Neutral Inquiry After Niqab Classroom Dispute
Thebangladaily.com – Dhaka University English department Associate Professor Tasnim Siraj Mahbub has called for an impartial inquiry into a dispute involving a student who attended class wearing a niqab, while also raising concerns over alleged threats and harassment directed at her.
Speaking during a Facebook Live session on Saturday, October 10, Mahbub said the incident had developed into a matter that affected both her professional position and her personal security. She urged the university to allow a fair examination of the events and to hear her explanation before reaching any final conclusion.
The controversy centres on a classroom interaction involving a female student whose face, including her eyes, was covered. Mahbub said that this made it difficult for her to identify the student during the class. She maintained that she did not instruct the student to take off her niqab and did not ask her to leave the room.
Teacher Says Her Account Was Not Heard
Mahbub said she wanted an opportunity to present her side of the matter through the appropriate academic process. However, she stated that her courses had already been reassigned to other teachers before she was able to provide her account of what happened.
For a university teacher, the ability to explain a classroom decision is closely linked to academic due process. Questions arising from a lecture or classroom exchange can affect students, faculty members and the wider department. Mahbub’s request for an investigation therefore focuses not only on the individual incident, but also on whether the matter is assessed through a balanced institutional procedure.
Her concerns about safety have added a further dimension to the dispute. Allegations of threats and harassment can have serious consequences for anyone involved in a public controversy, particularly when the issue spreads beyond the classroom. Mahbub asked for the situation to be handled in a way that protects her personal security while also allowing the facts to be reviewed fairly.
Students Seek Investigation
Before Mahbub’s public statement, female students submitted a written complaint seeking an inquiry into the allegations. They called for her permanent expulsion if the accusations against her are established through investigation.
The complaint reflects the seriousness with which the students view the incident. Their demand also places responsibility on the university to ensure that any decision is based on a clear review of the available information, rather than on competing claims alone.
Universities often face difficult questions when classroom expectations, personal religious practice and identification concerns intersect. Such matters require careful handling because they involve the dignity of students, the responsibilities of teachers and the need for an orderly academic environment. A properly conducted investigation can help clarify what was said, what actions were taken and whether university procedures were followed.
Department Takes Temporary Step
The chairman of the English department said an emergency academic committee had decided that Mahbub would not conduct classes for the time being. Her teaching responsibilities were subsequently assigned to other instructors.
The temporary decision means that regular classes can continue while the issue remains unresolved. At the same time, it leaves important questions open regarding the circumstances of the classroom exchange and the process through which any longer-term decision may be made.
Mahbub has denied the central allegation that she demanded the student remove her niqab or leave the class. Her position is that the difficulty arose because she could not identify a student whose entire face and eyes were covered. The distinction is central to the dispute: identifying a student in a classroom setting is different from requiring a student to remove religious attire.
A neutral inquiry could examine the accounts of those present in the classroom, the written complaint submitted by students and Mahbub’s own explanation. It could also establish whether there were relevant departmental practices concerning attendance, identification or classroom conduct that applied at the time.
Need for a Fair Academic Process
The case has drawn attention to the importance of transparent procedures when disputes emerge inside educational institutions. Students should be able to raise concerns without fear, while teachers should also have an opportunity to respond to allegations that may affect their careers and reputations.
In this instance, the immediate priority is to establish the facts without prejudging the outcome. The university’s temporary arrangement addresses the continuation of classes, but a credible investigation will be important for all parties involved. It may determine whether further action is warranted, whether misunderstandings contributed to the dispute, or whether institutional guidance needs to be clarified.
As the matter develops, the key issue will remain whether the inquiry provides equal consideration to the student complaint, the teacher’s denial and the safety concerns raised by Mahbub. A careful and impartial process would serve the interests of the students, the department and the university community as a whole.
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