Fearing ‘mob’, 2 teachers stay out of classroom in Cox’s Bazar

Transferred to their new government posts, they join their workplace as instructed.

However, things do not go smoothly as for more than a year, they have been unable to teach in classrooms normally.

Each time they tried to enter the college, groups of students surrounded them, staged protests, and, in one instance, allegedly confined one of them to a room.

The two teachers are Associate Professor Mujibul Alam of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, and Assistant Professor Alok Chakraborty of the English Department at Cox's Bazar Government College.

Both teachers allege that organised "mobs" have repeatedly been mobilised against them, leaving them exposed to harassment and security threats whenever they visit the college.

Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti and some students, however, claim the teachers face allegations of corruption, misconduct towards students, political bias and other irregularities.

They argue that students have therefore rejected them.

None of the allegations has so far been established through any departmental inquiry or court ruling.

At the same time, the college administration does not deny that the two teachers have been unable to teach normally for an extended period.

'I've Tried More Than 10 Times, But Returned Every Time'

Associate Prof Mujibul said he received his transfer order to Cox's Bazar Government College on Jul 20, 2025, but encountered resistance from his very first day.

"I go to the college and then return. It has happened at least 10 times," he said.

He noted that during the July Uprising he was not posted at Cox's Bazar Government College, but was serving as principal of Ramu Government College.

Despite that, he said, he is being labelled as an “agent”.

"If there were allegations against me at Ramu College, the government should investigate them. But how did I become an accused after joining another college?" he asked.

Mujibul alleged that when he went to the college on Jun 16, he was confined in a room, his mobile phone was taken away, and he was pushed to the ground. Police later rescued him, he said.

He added that he filed a general diary (GD) over the incident.

"I only want to do my job. If the government transfers me elsewhere, I'll go. But wherever I'm posted, there must be an environment where I can perform my duties safely."

He insists the incidents were not spontaneous student protests but organised efforts to create a "mob" against him.

According to him, members of NCP-backed Chhatra Shakti and another group led by former Chhatra Shibir leader Abdullah Al Noman physically assaulted and humiliated him during one such incident.

Noman denied the allegation but said: "Students do not want him."

'Round-the-clock Security Is Not Possible'

Prof Mofidul Alam, convenor of the college disciplinary committee, said Mujibul has effectively been unable to attend his department since joining the college more than a year ago.

He said Assistant Prof Alok Chakraborty has been facing a similar situation.

College Principal Prof Abul Hasnat Mohammad Mofizul Haque said the administration has never prevented any teacher from entering the campus.

"As they have been appointed by the government, there is no restriction on their coming to the college," he said.

On security, however, he added: "Whenever there has been a problem, we have called the police. But it is not possible for the college administration to provide round-the-clock security."

What Are The Students' Allegations?

Noman, a postgraduate student and former general secretary of the college unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, said the main allegations against Mujibul stem from his tenure at Ramu Government College, where students had protested against him over alleged corruption.

He claimed that after joining Cox's Bazar Government College, Mujibul had tried to influence student representatives and sought support from various quarters to secure access to the campus.

Noman further alleged that Mujibul attempted to pressure them through a central leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Chhatra Shakti President Erteza Mohammad Tanha made similar claims, saying recommendations in Mujibul's favour came from Jamaat, the BNP and other influential circles.

Noman also alleged that Mujibul offered money to student representatives.

He, however, could not show any verified documents to support the claim, saying only that videos and documents were in their possession.

Noman and Tanha also accused Alok of collecting money from students, making remarks about the hijab and committing various departmental irregularities.

Asked whether students should judge such allegations themselves or allow legal and departmental processes to take their course, Tanha said they had tried to keep the situation calm and that the incidents were being portrayed as a "mob", which he rejected.

'Take Legal Action, Not Mob'

Riduan Ul Haque, convenor of the college unit of Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal, said: "If a teacher commits wrongdoing, legal action should be taken through proper process. But humiliating a teacher through a mob can never be justified."

He said even if a teacher is politically controversial, everyone should be treated equally under the law.

"If everyone else is ignored and only one or two individuals are targeted, questions naturally arise about other interests behind it."

He added that although several meetings had been held involving the teachers' council, student organisations and other stakeholders, no visible resolution had yet emerged.

Meanwhile, former Chhatra Shibir leader Noman said written complaints had been submitted to the superintendent of police, the college administration and other authorities.

"We will beat those who filed cases against students or attacked them wherever we find them," he said.

However, Jasim Uddin, president of the college unit of Chhatra Shibir, said appointing or removing teachers is not the responsibility of student organisations.

"We represent students. We forward the complaints students bring to us to the relevant authorities," he said.

He claimed the primary objections to the two teachers came from students of their respective departments.

He declined to comment directly on allegations of mob violence, saying: "We also have to look at the reality."

'We Collected Opinions, But Made No Decision'

Prof Mofidul said the disciplinary committee collected written opinions from students of different academic years in the Department of Islamic History, as well as representatives of Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti.

According to him, most students in the department said they did not want Mujibul as their teacher. Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti expressed the same view.

Chhatra Dal's opinions were mixed. Some favoured resolving the issue through dialogue, while others suggested recommending his transfer if necessary.

He stressed, however, that the disciplinary committee has no authority to bar a teacher from attending the college or recommend such action.

"As government employees, we also cannot make negative comments. Our role is limited to compiling students' opinions and informing the principal," he said.

Alok Declines To Comment

Contacted for comment, Alok declined to speak on the matter.

"The principal knows everything. Please speak to him," he said.

A senior member of the Cox's Bazar Government College Teachers' Council, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the case has two distinct aspects.

"On one hand, a section of students has raised serious allegations against the two teachers. On the other, without any departmental inquiry or judicial decision on those allegations, the two have effectively remained out of the classroom for more than a year while continuing to receive their salaries."

He noted that the college administration acknowledges the problem and has collected students' opinions. Yet no visible administrative steps have been taken either to ensure a safe working environment or to resolve the allegations.

"As a result, the question remains: should the state, through its legal and administrative framework, decide whether a government college teacher can perform their duties, or will organised student pressure and the reality of mob action determine that?" he said.