Published : 24 Aug 2026, 12:54 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:35 AM
Dhaka University authorities have identified 58 teachers who are alleged to have been involved in “secret anti-state activities” to bring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is living in exile in India, back to Bangladesh.
Questions have been raised, however, about the process through which the teachers were identified.
Legal experts say that the state has agencies to take action against anyone involved in anti-state activities, and forming a university committee for such a purpose is contrary to law.
They also say a university cannot take action against someone merely because of the political ideology they nurture. Some have described preparing a list of teachers over allegations of “secret anti-state activities” as an example of “administrative politics”.
In a notice issued by the Public Relations Office on Aug 13, the university said its authorities had come across a report published in various media outlets about “secret activities” by 404 teachers from 22 universities aimed at bringing fugitive convict Hasina back to the country and reviving a political party whose activities have been banned.
The notice said the report claimed that 92 DU teachers were involved in such secret activities.
“Of them, the names of 58 teachers have already been identified,” it said.
The university has formed a three-member committee, headed by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Abdus Salam, to examine the matter and make recommendations on what action should be taken.
The other two members of the committee are Prof Mofazzal Hossain, acting dean of the Faculty of Science, and Prof Ekramul Haque, acting dean of the Faculty of Law.
The university said the committee would also “look into” the matter if any additional names were identified and make necessary recommendations.
Asked on what basis the authorities had identified the 58 teachers, committee convenor Prof Abdus Salam told bdnews24.com, “We did not prepare any list. I do not know who did it. The vice chancellor formed a committee. We have not even sat yet.”
In response to a question on what basis the university had identified the 58 teachers, DU Dhaka Vice Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam told bdnews24.com: “The NSI asked us for information. It is our responsibility to provide them with information. We assisted by providing the information. We did not make the list ourselves."
‘Names Included Despite Having No Connection’
At least three teachers whose names appear on the list have said they have no connection with the group in question.
They are Prof Rafiqul Islam of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Prof Mashiur Rahman of the Department of Sociology, and Prof Md Abdul Muhit.
Prof Rafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com, “I am not associated with any such group. I do not know how my name appeared on the list.”
Prof Mashiur said, “I do not have a Telegram account. I have never opened one before either. How I became involved and how the university administration included my name in the list is something only they can explain. Apart from a meeting that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had called with the UGC in 2024, I have had no communication through Telegram or WhatsApp.”
Prof Muhit said, “My name is similar to that of Prof Abdul Al Mohit of Kushtia Islamia University. Perhaps the university administration mistakenly included my name because of that similarity. I am not associated with any such group. If the university administration sends me a letter, I will state that in my response.”
Questions Over Committee
Teachers and legal experts have also questioned the committee formed by DU authorities over the allegations of “secret anti-state activities”.
Several DU teachers and legal experts said a committee cannot be formed against someone without a specific allegation.
“Finding someone guilty or identifying them merely on the basis of what has been published in newspapers is contrary to law,” they said.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub told bdnews24.com, “If someone is involved in anti-state activities, there are law enforcing agencies in the country. There are laws. The state can take legal action against them. But forming a separate committee or preparing a list of teachers for this purpose has no legal validity. It creates fear among the teachers.”
However, Prof Salam, the head of the committee, said: “The university administration can form a committee if it wishes. The vice chancellor has formed this committee. It will later be approved by the Syndicate.”
Asked whether the committee was formed on the basis of any specific allegation, he said: “A report was published in the newspaper and came to our attention. The committee has been formed to examine it.”
What Law Will Govern The Proceedings?
The Dhaka University Ordinance does not specifically state what action should be taken if a teacher, student or the university itself becomes involved in “anti-state activities”.
The university administration, however, says such activities constitute misconduct and moral turpitude under Section 56(3) of the Dhaka University Order 1973, Section 45(3) of the First Statutes of Dhaka University, and Rule 13 of Chapter 20 of the Dhaka University Ordinances and Regulations.
“Under Rule 13(2) of Chapter 20 of the Dhaka University Ordinances and Regulations, the university authorities may take disciplinary measures against anyone accused of such offences, including compulsory retirement, removal from service and dismissal,” the administration said.
“Legal and administrative action will be taken against those involved in such activities under the existing rules and regulations of the university and the prevailing laws of the country.”
Section 56(3) of the Dhaka University Order states, “A teacher or officer of the university may be dismissed only on grounds of moral turpitude or inefficiency, but no such teacher or officer shall be dismissed unless an enquiry into the charges of moral turpitude or inefficiency is held by an enquiry committee on which the teacher or the officer may be represented by a person nominated by him.”
There is no mention of “anti-state activities” in the provision.
Section 45(3) of the First Statutes states, “No teacher or officer shall be penalised or dismissed except on the ground of moral turpitude or inefficiency, or conduct prejudicial to service discipline or unbecoming of a university employee and no action will be taken on such grounds without an enquiry by an enquiry committee to be set up by the Syndicate in which opportunity shall be provided to the teacher and officer concerned to represent his case.”
At the same time, Section 45(2) of the First Statutes states, “The terms of the contract shall be determined without prejudice to the right of the employee concerned to hold political views and to associate with any lawful organisation outside the university, provided the employee does not derive any pecuniary benefit from such association.”
Prof Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the DU Department of Law said that if action is to be taken against anyone under the law, the specific allegations against that person must first be stated.
“Based on specific allegations, further action can be taken in accordance with due process of law. No action can be taken against anyone simply for their political views or by labelling them as an ally of the former authoritarian regime,” he said.
“If the Dhaka University Order 1973 or any criminal law of the state has been violated, action can be taken on the basis of specific allegations after giving the accused an opportunity to defend themselves. But no action can be taken against anyone through broad or blanket allegations or by attaching a label to them. If that is done, the action will be dismissed by the court.”
Supreme Court lawyer Mamun Mahbub said there was no provision in the Dhaka University Ordinance under which the university is governed specifying what should be done if someone engages in anti-state activities.
“In that case, a committee cannot simply be formed on this issue. The university administration’s political role is becoming apparent through the formation of this committee,” he said.
“Anti-state activity means, for example, trying to turn a country into part of another country, killing people or shutting down the country’s factories. A university teacher is not involved in such activities. If someone is, then that person should be dealt with individually. I believe the teachers should take legal action against such sweeping allegations.”
Pro-VC Abdus Salam, however, said: “Our committee will examine the allegations against them. If it is a criminal offence, the matter will be dealt with according to the relevant rules.”
