Suspicion over claim against Dhaka University teacher over use of 'indecent' photos

Questions are being raised about the suspension of a Dhaka University teacher who was accused of using indecent photos for his lessons in gender development class.

Masum Billahbdnews24.com
Published : 30 April 2017, 07:48 AM
Updated : 30 April 2017, 09:50 AM

The slides that were now available to the public did not contain anything to support the allegations against Prof Md Reazul Haque, said several of his colleagues at Development Studies.

The materials are all relevant to the subject he was teaching, said Professor Sadeka Halim, who also taught gender studies, after going through the slides.

There was no indecent content in the slides used by Haque, said ten teachers of the university's Women and Gender Studies Department in a letter to the vice chancellor. 

Prof Haque was suspended by the university syndicate on Feb 27 but the decision was blocked when he moved the High Court. The teacher believes his suspension was part of a conspiracy.

There has been non-transparency in the Development Studies department over the identity of the complaining students.

The 'allegation came from the department', said responsible officials, but declined details as the 'matter was under investigation'. 

Three students complained about Haque's teaching material and their claims were reviewed by the syndicate via the department's academic committee, according to Dhaka University authorities.

But the committee's agenda for the past six months does not mention anything about allegations against Prof Haque.

The gender studies course is taught during special night classes organised by the department for 15 officials of the Bangladesh Bank between June and December.

Prof Haque was allegedly charged for indecency by students of this class. 

"Come and look at all the slides that are with me. You can be the judge and say if they're indecent or not," Sirajul Islam, deputy general manager of the central bank who attended his class, told bdnews24.com.

"I didn't make the complain, someone might have, but it wasn’t me."  

Besides the night courses, Prof Haque also taught two other courses for gender development and classical sociology. He also taught similar courses at privately-owned North South University and Bangladesh University of Professionals. 

"I teach the gender and development course to fourth semester students. I use the same material for my students in both regular and night courses."

"If I had used indecent photos, then it should have been talked about seven years ago. But no one has ever complained before."

The teacher said the complaints could not have been from the students of the night classes.

"How could I have finished the course if they had complaints about the contents? There was a class party on the last day. The students were very excited to join the party."

He said the students would have spoken to the MDS course batch coordinator Dr Taiyabur Rahman if they had any objections.

"There's a committee probing this matter… I cannot make a comment," Dr Taiyabur told bdnews24.com.

When asked if the masters students submitted their complaints in written statements, he said, "The charge sheet was prepared after discussions in the academic committee."